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Assays for the Specific Growth Rate and Cell-binding Ability of Rotavirus
Published on: January 28, 2019
Rotavirus epidemiology and surveillance before vaccine introduction in Argentina, 2012-2014
Juan Ignacio Degiuseppe1, Ezequiel Agustín Reale1, Juan Andrés Stupka1
1Laboratorio de Gastroenteritis Virales, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas (INEI-ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán"), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Insights
Group A Rotavirus is a major cause of infant diarrhea in Argentina. This study details the pre-vaccine genotypes, seasonality, and prevalence patterns observed between 2012-2014.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Group A Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe infantile diarrhea globally.
- In Argentina, it causes over 200,000 diarrhea cases and 30-50 deaths annually in children under five.
- Understanding pre-vaccine rotavirus epidemiology is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the frequency, seasonality, age distribution, and circulating genotypes of Group A Rotavirus in Argentina.
- To establish a baseline of rotavirus epidemiology prior to vaccine introduction in 2015.
- To characterize the pre-vaccine scenario for rotavirus in the Argentine population.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from the Viral Diarrhea Notification module of the Argentine SNVS-SIVILA surveillance tool (2012-2014).
- Rotavirus-positive stool specimens analyzed for circulating genotypes using conventional binary characterization of capsid genes.
- Epidemiological data analyzed for frequency, seasonality, and age distribution.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus was detected in approximately 25% of tested samples, with higher prevalence in children under two years.
- A distinct winter seasonality pattern was observed, alongside heterogeneous regional prevalence, particularly in the North.
- Commonly detected genotypes included G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], and G12P[8], with evidence of co-circulation and annual fluctuations.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a comprehensive overview of the pre-vaccine rotavirus landscape in Argentina.
- Identified genotypes and epidemiological patterns serve as a critical baseline for post-vaccine surveillance.
- Findings are essential for evaluating the impact of rotavirus vaccination programs in the region.
Abstract:
Group A Rotavirus has been widely described as one of the most important infantile diarrheal pathogens worldwide. In Argentina, it is responsible for over 200,000 acute diarrhea cases and from 30 to 50 deaths annually in children under 5 years. The aim of this study is to analyze frequency, seasonality, age group distribution, and circulating genotypes based on data notified in the 2012-2014 period and in turn to assess the pre-vaccine scenario, considering that rotavirus vaccine was introduced in 2015. Data were taken from the Viral Diarrhea Notification module of the Argentine SNVS-SIVILA surveillance tool. Analyses of circulating genotypes were performed on rotavirus-positive stool specimens by conventional binary characterization of the outermost capsid genes. Overall data showed rotavirus detection in about 25% of samples tested, and higher rates in children under 2 years old were observed. Rotavirus positive cases were distributed according to a typical winter seasonal pattern. A heterogeneous regional pattern of prevalence was also observed, with higher rates detected in the North region. Genotype co-circulation and annual fluctuation were observed. In general, G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], and G12P[8] were the most frequently detected genotypes. This study represents the last survey taken of a population considered to be naïve. J. Med. Virol. 89:423-428, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
