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Rotavirus serotypes and electrophoretypes among children attending three paediatric hospitals in Belem, Brazil
A C Linhares1, J M Moura, Y B Gabbay
1Secao de Virus do Instituto Evandro Chagas, Fundacao Nacional de Saude, Belem, Para, Brazil.
Insights
Rotavirus antigen was detected in 40% of diarrheal infants and children. Serotype 3 was predominant among identifiable strains, highlighting the need for further rotavirus characterization in pediatric gastroenteritis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Acute diarrhea is a significant cause of morbidity in infants and children.
- Rotavirus is a leading viral pathogen responsible for severe diarrheal episodes in young children.
- Understanding rotavirus prevalence and serotypes is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of rotavirus antigen in hospitalized diarrheal infants and children.
- To characterize the detected rotavirus strains by RNA electrophoresis and serotyping.
- To identify the predominant rotavirus serotypes and electrophoretic profiles in the study population.
Main Methods:
- Stool specimens from 101 diarrheal infants and children (1-24 months) were analyzed.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect rotavirus antigen.
- RNA polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and serotyping with monoclonal antibodies were employed for strain characterization.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus antigen was detected in 40% of the cases.
- The highest positivity rate (80%) was observed in the 16-18 month age group.
- Of the 11 serotyped strains, all belonged to serotype 3; 73% of strains could not be serotyped due to Vp7 absence.
- Four distinct electrophoretypes were identified, with the predominant profile being IbIIbIIIgIV (62%).
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus is a common cause of acute, moderate-to-severe diarrhea in hospitalized infants and children.
- Serotype 3 appears to be a significant cause, but a large proportion of strains lack Vp7, complicating serotyping efforts.
- Further investigation into rotavirus epidemiology and strain diversity is warranted for effective prevention and control strategies.
Abstract:
From March to September 1988 stool specimens of 101 hospitalized diarrhoeic infants and children, aged 1-24 months were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the presence of rotavirus antigen. This agent was found in 40 (40 per cent) of the 101 episodes of acute diarrhoea, and strains were both characterized by analysis of RNA in polyacrilamide gel and serotyped by ELISA using serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies. The highest frequency of rotavirus positivity was 80 per cent in the 16-18 month age group. All 11 (28 per cent) serotyped strains belonged to serotype 3 whereas absence of Vp7, the major outer capsid glycoprotein, did not allow serotyping in 29 (73 per cent) of the 40 rotavirus-positive specimens. Four distinct electrophoretypes were detected and the predominant one had the IbIIbIIIgIV a profile, accounting for 62 per cent of the classified strains. Unclear patterns did not allow us to determine the electrophoretype of six rotavirus strains. The clinical picture in study children was in general of moderate/severe nature.