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Rotavirus Disease and Genotype Diversity in Older Children and Adults in Australia
Celeste M Donato1,2,3, Susie Roczo-Farkas1, Carl D Kirkwood1,2,4
1Enteric Diseases Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia.
Insights
Rotavirus significantly impacts older children and adults, not just young children. Surveillance is crucial for understanding rotavirus strains and disease burden in all age groups.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rotavirus gastroenteritis is a significant health concern primarily recognized in children under five.
- The disease burden and genotypic diversity of rotavirus in older children, adults, and the elderly remain underappreciated.
- This study focuses on rotavirus disease and its genetic variations in Australian individuals aged five and above.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the epidemiology of rotavirus disease in individuals aged five years and older in Australia.
- To investigate the genotypic diversity of rotavirus strains circulating in this demographic.
- To inform public health strategies by understanding the full spectrum of rotavirus impact.
Main Methods:
- Collection of rotavirus-positive fecal samples nationwide via the Australian Rotavirus Surveillance Program (2010-2018).
- Genotyping of rotavirus strains using heminested multiplex reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.
- Analysis of national notifiable disease surveillance data to correlate with epidemiological trends.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus disease incidence was highest in children aged 5-9 years and adults aged 85 years and older.
- The G2P[4] genotype was the most prevalent in the population aged five and above.
- Annual fluctuations in genotype distribution and variations in genotypic diversity were observed across different age groups, with geographical differences linked to infant vaccination programs.
Conclusions:
- A substantial burden of rotavirus disease exists in individuals aged five and older, with notable impact on children aged 5-9 and the elderly.
- Continued rotavirus surveillance across all age groups is essential, even with the availability of effective vaccines.
- Understanding genotypic diversity is key to monitoring and controlling rotavirus spread in the broader population.
Background:
Rotavirus is a major cause of gastroenteritis in children <5 years of age. The disease burden in older children, adults, and the elderly is underappreciated. This study describes rotavirus disease and genotypic diversity in the Australian population comprising children ≥5 years of age and adults.
Methods:
Rotavirus positive fecal samples were collected from laboratories Australia-wide participating in the Australian Rotavirus Surveillance Program between 2010 and 2018. Rotavirus samples were genotyped using a heminested multiplex reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Notification data from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System were also analyzed.
Results:
Rotavirus disease was highest in children aged 5-9 years and adults ≥85 years. G2P[4] was the dominant genotype in the population ≥5 years of age. Genotype distribution fluctuated annually and genotypic diversity varied among different age groups. Geographical differences in genotype distribution were observed based on the rotavirus vaccine administered to infants <1 year of age.
Conclusions:
This study revealed a substantial burden of rotavirus disease in the population ≥5 years of age, particularly in children 5-9 years and the elderly. This study highlights the continued need for rotavirus surveillance across the population, despite the implementation of efficacious vaccines.
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