Abstract
Introduction: Rotavirus′ (RV) infection is a global health problem. Recent studies estimates that 101 million cases of rotavirus gastroentheritis occur each year, 25 million require ambulatory consults, 2 million need hospitalization and 440.000 deaths result in children less than 5 years of age. This illness has an heterogeneous worldwide distribution, with high mortality rates in underdeveloped countries. G1P8 is the major circulating serotype, but new serotypes are emerging constantly.
Aims: To determine the circulating RV serotypes during a specific period in a geographic area, previous to a Phase III test of a human oral vaccine (Rotarix ®).
Material and Methods: This is an observational, descriptive, prospective, longitudinal study with informed consent and accepted by the Ethical Committee of the National Health Service. Detection centers were set up where participating members provided coverage for the project 24 hours a day in both private and public hospitals in the cities of Concepción and Talcahuano between February and June 2003. Infants who presented with acute gastroenteritis and dehydration (AGAD) who requiered WHO′s B or C treatments were included. An ELISA test was used to detect RV antigen in fecal samples. A polymerase chain reaction was used to typify G1 to G4 serotypes in the RV positive samples.
Results: Out of 231 consultations for AGAD, samples for ELISA were obtained in 206s. There were 121 positives for RV. G4 was the most frequent serotype isolated (76,8%). The highest number of RV positive samples occurred between the months of February and March.
Conclusions: the most frequent serotype isolated (76,8%) was G4; this represents a change in the incidence of RV serotypes, because in 1996 and in 2000 G1 was isolated in 84 % and 58% of cases, respectively. This is important in the evaluation of the Phase III immunization studies with G1P8 human stock in this geographic area.
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Venegas, G., Nuñez, E., Alvarez, A. et al. 3 Determination of Rotavirus′ Serotypes in Children Younger than 36 Months of Age with Acute Gastroentheritis and Deshydration in the Concepción - Talcahuano Area, Chile. Pediatr Res 57, 920 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200506000-00031
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200506000-00031