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Rotavirus infection in infants and young children in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Hani O Ghazi1, Mubashir A Khan, Abdulwahab M Telmesani

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
|July 28, 2005
PubMed

Insights

The prevalence of rotavirus in infants and young children in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, was found to be 10%. This rate is lower than in other Saudi regions, possibly due to Makkah's climate.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrheal disease in infants and young children globally.
  • Understanding regional prevalence is crucial for public health interventions and vaccination strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of rotavirus infection in infants and young children presenting with acute diarrhea in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
  • To analyze age-specific and nationality-specific incidence rates of rotavirus.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based prevalence study involving 479 infants and young children with acute diarrhea.
  • Rotavirus detection using latex agglutination test, with confirmation by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Main Results:

  • A rotavirus prevalence of 10% (48/479) was identified.
  • Infection was most common in children under two years old, particularly those aged 0-12 months.
  • Rotavirus infection rates were 3.1% in Saudi nationals and 6.9% in other nationalities.

Conclusions:

  • The observed 10% rotavirus prevalence in Makkah is lower compared to other Saudi Arabian regions.
  • Makkah's hot, dry summers and mild winters may contribute to this lower prevalence.
  • Further research into environmental factors influencing rotavirus transmission is warranted.
Abstract

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