Detection and molecular characterization of group A rotavirus from hospitalized children in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2004
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Detection and Genogrouping of Noroviruses from Children's Stools By Taqman One-step RT-PCR
Published on: July 22, 2012
Filipe Anibal Carvalho-Costa1, Rosane Maria Assis, Alexandre Madi Fialho
1Laboratório de Virologia Comparada, Departamento de Virologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, RJ Brasil.
Insights
Rotavirus causes severe diarrhea in children globally. This study in Brazil found G9 rotavirus strains are prevalent, highlighting the need for ongoing surveillance to inform vaccination strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe infantile diarrhea and mortality, particularly in developing nations.
- The World Health Organization recommends rotavirus burden assessment and strain characterization for immunization programs.
- Understanding circulating rotavirus strains is crucial for effective vaccine strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize rotavirus genotypes in children with acute diarrhea and severe dehydration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- To assess the frequency of rotavirus infection, including hospital-acquired infections.
- To provide data for future rotavirus vaccination strategies.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 134 children with acute diarrhea and severe dehydration.
- Rotavirus detection using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIARA).
- Genotyping of group A rotavirus using reverse transcription/heminested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (RT/multiplex PCR).
Main Results:
- Rotavirus was detected in 48% of the children studied.
- The most common G genotypes were G1 (58%) and G9 (40%).
- Genotype [P8] was the only identified [P] genotype; G9 is noted as an important emerging genotype.
Conclusions:
- Genotype G9 is a significant rotavirus strain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Continuous monitoring of circulating rotavirus strains is essential for effective vaccination programs.
- Findings have implications for the development and implementation of rotavirus vaccines.
Abstract:
Rotavirus is a major cause of infantile acute diarrhea, causing about 440,000 deaths per year, mainly in developing countries. The World Health Organization has been recommending the assessment of rotavirus burden and strain characterization as part of the strategies of immunization programs against this pathogen. In this context, a prospective study was made on a sample of 134 children with acute diarrhea and severe dehydration admitted to venous fluid therapy in two state hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from February to September 2004. Rotavirus where detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and by an enzyme-linked immunoassay to rotavirus and adenovirus (EIARA) in 48% of the children. Positive samples for group A rotavirus (n = 65) were analyzed by reverse transcription/heminested multiplex polymerase chain reaction to determine the frequency of G and [P] genotypes and, from these, 64 samples could be typed. The most frequent G genotype was G1 (58%) followed by G9 (40%). One mixed infection (G1/G9) was detected. The only [P] genotype identified was [8]. In order to estimate the rotavirus infection frequency in children who acquired diarrhea as hospital infection in those hospitals, we studied 24 patients, detecting the pathogen in 41% of them. This data suggest that genotype G9 is an important genotype in Rio de Janeiro, with implications to the future strategies of vaccination against rotavirus, reinforcing the need of continuous monitoring of circulating strains of the pathogen, in a surveillance context.
