Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

To identify cases of rotavirus diarrhea in Uttar Pradesh among children less than 5 y of age presenting with acute gastroenteritis, to study the clinical profile of the cases and to identify the rotavirus genotypes.

Any child who is 0-59 mo of age who is admitted to the study facility with diarrhea as the presenting complaint were enrolled into the surveillance after obtaining informed consent. Clinical history and sociodemographic information was recorded for all the patients. Patients with dehydration were treated as per standard protocol. Stool samples were collected for isolation of rotavirus and identification of its genotype.

Of the 418 stool specimens collected, rotavirus was isolated in 47 (11.33%) samples. Rotavirus gastroenteritis was most common below the age of two years. A significant difference in the clinical characteristics between children who were positive for rotavirus and those who tested negative were not observed in this study. But patients with rotavirus diarrhea had longer duration of hospital stay (OR 3.31; CI 1.24-8.87). The outcome was similar in the two groups (OR 2.64; CI 0.27-25.89). G3P[8] was the most common type genotype isolated in 13 (28.89%) patients followed by G2P[4] in 7 (15.56%) patients. Thirteen patients (28.89%) had mixed genotype.

Rotavirus diarrhea was most common below two years of age. G3P[8] was the most common genotype identified.