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Detection of Rotavirus in Respiratory Specimens From Bangladeshi Children Aged <2 Years Hospitalized for Acute
Syed Moinuddin Satter1, Eric Katz2, Mohammad Enayet Hossain1
1icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Insights
This study investigated rotavirus transmission routes in Bangladeshi children. Rotavirus RNA was detected in nasal and oral swabs, suggesting potential respiratory transmission of the virus.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrheal disease in infants and young children globally.
- The primary transmission route is typically considered fecal-oral, but respiratory transmission has been hypothesized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for respiratory transmission of rotavirus.
- To determine the presence of rotavirus RNA in respiratory and skin specimens from children with acute gastroenteritis.
Main Methods:
- Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect rotavirus RNA.
- Nasal, oropharyngeal, stool, and forehead swab specimens were collected from 399 Bangladeshi children hospitalized with gastroenteritis.
- Rotavirus genotyping was performed on a subset of specimens.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus RNA was detected in 89% of all collected specimens, including stool, oral, nasal, and forehead swabs.
- Genotyping was concordant within individual children's specimen sets.
- Multiple rotavirus genotypes were identified across the study population.
Conclusions:
- The detection of rotavirus RNA in nasal and oral swabs supports the hypothesis of potential respiratory transmission.
- Further research is warranted to confirm rotavirus's role in respiratory transmission and its implications for disease control.
Abstract:
To examine the potential for respiratory transmission of rotavirus, we systematically assessed if rotavirus RNA is detectable by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from nasal and oropharyngeal swab specimens of Bangladeshi children with acute rotavirus gastroenteritis. Forehead swabs were collected to assess skin contamination. Among 399 children aged <2 years hospitalized for gastroenteritis during peak rotavirus season, rotavirus RNA was detected in stool, oral, nasal and forehead swab specimens of 354 (89%). A subset was genotyped; genotype was concordant within a child's specimen set and several different genotypes were detected across children. These findings support possible respiratory transmission of rotavirus and warrant further investigation.
