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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
Assays for the Specific Growth Rate and Cell-binding Ability of Rotavirus
Published on: January 28, 2019
Hospital-based surveillance and molecular epidemiology of rotavirus infection in Taiwan, 2005-2007
1Research and Diagnostic Center, Centers for Disease Control, Department of Health, 161 Kunyang Street, Nan Kang District, Taipei 115, Taiwan.
Insights
This study tracked rotavirus strains in Taiwanese children under five, finding G1P[8] as the most common. These findings aid decisions on including rotavirus vaccines in national immunization programs.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in young children globally.
- Understanding local rotavirus strain distribution is crucial for effective vaccine policy.
- Taiwan has implemented active surveillance to monitor infectious diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalent rotavirus genotypes in children under five with gastroenteritis in Taiwan.
- To provide data supporting decisions regarding rotavirus vaccine inclusion in Taiwan's National Immunisation Programme.
Main Methods:
- Active hospital-based surveillance was conducted in three sentinel hospitals from 2005 to 2007.
- Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was used to detect rotavirus.
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing identified G and P genotypes.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus was detected in 25% (856/3435) of children with gastroenteritis.
- The most common genotypes were G1P[8] (40%), G3P[8] (27%), and G9P[8] (17%).
- Children under two years old accounted for 52% of rotavirus-positive cases.
Conclusions:
- G1P[8], G3P[8], and G9P[8] are the predominant rotavirus strains in Taiwan.
- The epidemiological data supports consideration of rotavirus vaccination for Taiwan's National Immunisation Programme.
Abstract:
To determine the distribution of rotavirus strains and facilitate vaccine policy decisions in Taiwan, active hospital-based gastroenteritis surveillance was conducted in three sentinel hospitals. From 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2007, a total of 3435 children less than 5 years old with gastroenteritis were enrolled. The presence of rotavirus was documented by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and the G and P genotypes were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing methods. Results confirmed that 856 (25%) of these gastroenteritis admissions were EIA-positive for rotavirus and 448 (52%) of the rotavirus positive admissions were less than 2 years old. The most prevalent rotavirus genotypes were G1P[8] (40%), followed by strains G3P[8] (27%), and G9P[8] (17%). These data will help inform decisions as to whether rotavirus vaccine should be considered for inclusion into Taiwan's National Immunisation Programme.
