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Molecular Epidemiology of Rotavirus Strains Circulating among Children with Gastroenteritis in Iran
Kargar, Mohammad; Zare, Maryam & Najafi, Akram
Abstract
Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of rotavirus disease and to investigate the
genotypes of rotavirus strains causing acute gastroenteritis among children aged <5 years old in Marvdasht,
Iran.
Methods: One hundred and forty-one children, aged 1 month to 5 years, afflicted with severe diarrhea were
enrolled during January 2007 to December 2008. Their stool samples were studied with enzyme
immunoassays (EIA) for group A rotaviruses. Rotavirus-positive specimens were genotyped by the Nested
RT-PCR using different types of specific primers.
Findings: Out of total collected samples rotavirus infection was detected in 40 (28.37%). Of the rotavirus
episodes, 72.91% occurred during the first 2 years of life (P=0.038). The highest prevalence of infection was
identified in summer (52.50%) and the lowest in winter (7.50%). The most common clinical features included
diarrhea (96.25%), vomiting (82.50%) and fever (45.0%). Mixed genotypes were the predominant G type
(60.0%), followed by non-typeable (12.50%), G2 (12.50%), G4 (10.0%) and G1 (5.0%) genotypes. G3/G8
mixed infection is the first of these rotavirus genotypes to be reported in Iran.
Conclusion: Regarding high frequency of rotavirus infection, continuous surveillance is needed to inform
diarrhea prevention programs as well as to provide information about the occurrence of new rotavirus
strains. This will assist policy makers in decision making on rotavirus vaccine introduction.
Keywords
Rotavirus; Gastroenteritis; Genotyping; Children; Epidemiology
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