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Molecular characterization of rotavirus diarrhea among children aged under five years in the Philippines, 2013-2015
Joseph Bonifacio1, Socorro Lupisan1, Vito Roque2
1Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Muntinlupa City, Philippines.
Insights
Rotavirus causes over one-third of acute gastroenteritis hospitalizations in Philippine children under five. The predominant strain is G1P[8], highlighting the need for ongoing surveillance and network strengthening.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Rotavirus vaccines necessitate robust data on disease burden for informed policy decisions.
- The Philippines established a national rotavirus surveillance program in 2012.
- This program aims to track rotavirus epidemiology in children under five.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the proportion of rotavirus-confirmed acute gastroenteritis in young children.
- To describe the geographic distribution and molecular characteristics of rotavirus strains.
- To provide data supporting rotavirus vaccine implementation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Sentinel-based surveillance of children under five with acute gastroenteritis.
- Laboratory confirmation of rotavirus infections.
- Genotyping of detected rotavirus strains.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus accounted for over one-third of acute gastroenteritis hospitalizations in the study period (2013-2015).
- The most common circulating genotype was G1P[8].
- Geographic distribution and molecular epidemiology data were collected.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus represents a significant cause of acute gastroenteritis in young Filipino children.
- Continued monitoring and strengthening of the surveillance network are crucial.
- Tracking prevalent and emerging rotavirus strains is essential for vaccine program evaluation.
Abstract:
With the availability of new and existing rotavirus vaccines, credible and reliable data on burden of rotavirus-associated disease are needed to enable evidence-based decision making regarding the introduction of rotavirus vaccines. The national rotavirus surveillance program in the Philippines, a sentinel-based surveillance, was established in 2012 to determine the proportion of laboratory-confirmed rotavirus cases among children under five years with acute gastroenteritis and to describe the geographic distribution and molecular epidemiology of rotavirus in the country. During 2013 to 2015, rotavirus infection was the cause of acute gastroenteritis among children under five years admitted to hospitals or evaluated in emergency rooms, constituting more than one-third of gastroenteritis hospitalizations at the sentinel site hospitals. The predominant genotype observed was G1P[8]. Although a rotavirus surveillance network has been established, findings suggest the need to strengthen the network in the country and to continue monitoring prevalent rotavirus strains to help identify the possible emergence of new strains.
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