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Clinical and epidemiological features of acute infantile gastroenteritis associated with human rotavirus subgroups 1
Insights
Rotavirus subgroup 1 was prevalent early in the year, while subgroup 2 circulated year-round. Subgroup 1 infections caused higher fevers, and a specific subgroup 2 variant showed increased virulence in children.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
Background:
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in children worldwide.
- Understanding rotavirus strain diversity and associated clinical manifestations is crucial for public health.
- Electropherotyping is a method used to classify rotavirus strains based on their RNA profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic diversity of rotavirus strains causing gastroenteritis in children.
- To correlate rotavirus subgroups and electropherotypes with clinical symptoms and outcomes.
- To analyze the seasonal distribution of different rotavirus subgroups.
Main Methods:
- Prospective 1-year study involving 169 children with gastroenteritis.
- Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was used to analyze rotavirus isolates.
- Classification of strains into subgroup 1 (short patterns) and subgroup 2 (long patterns).
Main Results:
- 118 (70%) isolates yielded visible electrophoretic patterns.
- 36% were subgroup 1 and 64% were subgroup 2 rotavirus.
- Subgroup 1 disappeared after 7 months, while subgroup 2 persisted year-round.
- Subgroup 1 infections were associated with higher fevers.
- A specific subgroup 2 electropherotype exhibited increased virulence, leading to more severe symptoms and hospitalization.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus subgroup distribution shows seasonal variation.
- Different rotavirus subgroups and electropherotypes are associated with distinct clinical presentations.
- Certain rotavirus electropherotypes may possess higher virulence, impacting disease severity and healthcare utilization.
Abstract:
During a prospective 1-year study rotavirus isolates from 169 children with gastroenteritis were investigated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A total of 118 (70%) of the strains analyzed contained sufficient viral nucleic acid to give visible electrophoretic patterns; 36% were identified as strains belonging to subgroup 1 (short patterns), and 64% were identified as strains belonging to subgroup 2 (long patterns). The two subgroups cocirculated at equal frequencies during the first 7 months of the year, after which subgroup 1 rotavirus completely disappeared. Subgroup 2 rotavirus occurred throughout the year. No significant differences between the subgroups in relation to age or sex distribution were observed. Fever and temperatures exceeding 39 degrees C were significantly more frequent in children who shed rotavirus subgroup 1. Diarrhea and vomiting occurred at similar rates in both groups of patients, but were more pronounced in children who shed rotavirus subgroup 2. One of three dominant electropherotypic variants of subgroup 2 rotavirus was found to be associated with more intense symptoms, higher rates of hospitalization, and a significantly higher frequency of respiratory symptoms; the clinical picture may indicate that this rotavirus electropherotype has higher virulence.