Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
Assays for the Specific Growth Rate and Cell-binding Ability of Rotavirus
Published on: January 28, 2019
Differences in clinical and laboratory parameters according to prior rotavirus vaccination status in children
Muna Omar1, Dani Cohen1, Roula Abu-Jabal1
1Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Insights
Rotavirus vaccination in children with viral acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is linked to improved nutritional markers and reduced inflammation. These findings suggest broader benefits beyond preventing AGE, supporting increased vaccination rates.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Rotavirus vaccination is established for preventing acute gastroenteritis (AGE).
- Potential non-specific effects of rotavirus vaccination require further investigation.
- Understanding these effects can inform public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between rotavirus vaccination and clinical/laboratory parameters in children with viral AGE.
- To explore potential non-specific beneficial effects of rotavirus vaccination.
Main Methods:
- A single-center study in Israel included 494 children (2-23 months) hospitalized with viral AGE (2011-2015).
- Data collected included demographics, clinical and laboratory parameters, and rotavirus vaccination status (pentavalent vaccine) from the national immunization registry.
Main Results:
- Fully vaccinated children showed significantly higher hemoglobin, hematocrit, and lymphocyte levels.
- A lower neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was observed in fully vaccinated participants.
- Complete rotavirus vaccination was associated with lower likelihood of rotavirus detection and urine culture performance.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus vaccination correlates with improved nutritional status and reduced inflammation in children with AGE.
- These findings suggest additional beneficial effects of rotavirus vaccination.
- Increased rotavirus vaccination coverage is recommended.
Objectives:
Rotavirus vaccination is effective in preventing acute gastroenteritis (AGE), but evidence regarding its potential non-specific effects remains elusive. We examined the associations of prior rotavirus vaccination with clinical and laboratory parameters in children with viral AGE, exploring potential non-specific effects of rotavirus vaccination.
Methods:
A single-center study was conducted in Israel, including 494 children aged 2-23 months hospitalized during 2011-2015. Demographics and clinical and laboratory data were obtained via parental interviews and from medical records, and rotavirus vaccination status (pentavalent vaccine) was determined via the national immunization registry.
Results:
Overall, 8.7% of the participants were unvaccinated for rotavirus, 29.8% were partially vaccinated, and 61.5% were fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated participants had significantly higher hemoglobin (beta coefficient 0.58, 95% confidence interval 0.18-0.98), hematocrit (1.89, 0.77-3.03), and lymphocyte (1.51, 0.63-2.39) levels, but a lower neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio than unvaccinated participants. The likelihood of having a urine culture performed was lower among the fully vaccinated participants (odds ratio = 0.21, 0.07-0.61). Complete-series vaccination was inversely related to rotavirus detection (odds ratio = 0.17, 0.05-0.57).
Conclusions:
Rotavirus vaccination correlates with better nutritional status and lower inflammation in patients with AGE, suggesting additional beneficial effects of the vaccine and highlighting the need to increase vaccination coverage.
