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Published on: January 28, 2019
Surveillance and Molecular Characterization of Rotavirus Strains Circulating in Odisha, India after Introduction of
Vishwanath Ghoshal1, Manas Kumar Nayak2, Namrata Misra3
1Department of Community Medicine, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
Insights
Rotavirus gastroenteritis affected 28.9% of children under five in Bhubaneswar. G3 and P8 genotypes were most common, with illness linked to vomiting and fever, highlighting the need for early childhood vaccination.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Acute gastroenteritis is a significant health concern in young children.
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrheal disease globally.
- Understanding local rotavirus epidemiology is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the burden of rotavirus infection in children under five presenting with acute gastroenteritis.
- To identify the circulating rotavirus genotypes (G and P types).
- To investigate associations between rotavirus infection and demographic/clinical factors.
Main Methods:
- Prospective surveillance of 850 children under five with acute gastroenteritis from February 2016 to June 2019.
- Stool sample analysis using enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for rotavirus VP6 antigen.
- Hemi-nested multiplex PCR to detect VP7 (G type) and VP4 (P type) genes.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus was detected in 28.9% (246/850) of children, with a 3:1 male to female ratio.
- Rotavirus cases showed an increasing trend during winter months.
- Vomiting (2 days), age 12-23 months, and fever were significantly associated with rotavirus diarrhea.
- G3 and P8 were the predominant rotavirus genotypes identified.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus infection is a substantial contributor to acute gastroenteritis in under-five children in Bhubaneswar.
- The findings underscore the importance of early childhood rotavirus vaccination, particularly for the 6-23 month age group.
- Changes in rotavirus distribution may be influenced by vaccine introduction (Rotavac).
Objective:
To know the rotavirus burden associated with acute gastroenteritis along with circulating genotypes among under-five children and to find out possible associations with different demographic and clinical predictors in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Methods:
A prospective acute gastroenteritis surveillance conducted from February 2016 to June 2019 at a tertiary care pediatric hospital in Bhubaneswar has enrolled 850 children under five years of age. The stool samples were tested for VP6 antigen of rotavirus by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and hemi-nested multiplex PCR to find out VP7 (G type) and VP4 (P type) genes. The data was presented using mean ± SD, median (IQR) along with frequencies and percentages.
Results:
Rotavirus positivity was found in 246 children (28.9%) with male: female ratio of 3:1. An increasing trend of rotaviral diarrheal cases was seen during the winter months. History of vomiting for 2 d, age group of 12-23 mo, and fever were significantly associated with rotavirus diarrhea having odd ratios of 1.80 (95% CI, 1.48, and 1.69, respectively). Among the genotypes, G3 and P8 were found to be most common in the present study.
Conclusion:
With the introduction of Rotavac in the state the overall rotaviral distribution has significantly changed. Children of 6-23 mo were the most affected age group in the study indicating the necessity of this vaccine in the early months of life.
