The molecular epidemiology of circulating rotaviruses: three-year surveillance in the region of Monastir, Tunisia

BMC Infectious Diseases

Research Article

Nabil Sakly¹  Siwar Ayouni²  Mahjoub Aouni²  Imen Ben Salem²  Khira Sdiri-Loulizi³  Mouna Hassine-Zaafrane³  Katia Ambert-Balay⁴  Jérôme Kaplon⁴  Pierre Pothier⁴ 

[1] Laboratory of Immunology, University Hospital Fattouma Bourguiba, TU-5000, Monastir, Tunisia;Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biological Agents, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, TU-5000, Monastir, Tunisia;Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biological Agents, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, TU-5000, Monastir, Tunisia;National Reference Center for Enteric Viruses, Laboratory of Virology, CHU of Dijon, 2 Rue Angélique Ducoudray, University of Bourgogne, 21000, Dijon, France;National Reference Center for Enteric Viruses, Laboratory of Virology, CHU of Dijon, 2 Rue Angélique Ducoudray, University of Bourgogne, 21000, Dijon, France;

关键词: Gastroenteritis;    Stool Sample;    Acute Gastroenteritis;    Rotarix;    Tunisian Child;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2334-11-266

 received in 2011-06-17, accepted in 2011-10-03,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundRotavirus infection is the most common cause of severe, dehydrating, gastroenteritis among children worldwide. In developing countries, approximately 1440 children die from rotavirus infections each day, with an estimated 527,000 annually. In infants, rotavirus is estimated to cause more than 2 million hospitalizations every year depending on the income level of the country.The purpose of this study was to estimate the proportion of rotavirus gastroenteritis and identify the distribution of circulating G and P genotype rotavirus strains among children consulting several dispensaries in the region of Monastir (outpatients departments) or admitted to Monastir University Hospital (inpatients department) with acute gastroenteritis.MethodsThis study was undertaken during a 3-year period from April 2007 to April 2010 in Tunisian children under 13 suffering from acute gastroenteritis. Group A rotaviruses were detected in stools by ELISA and genotyped using multiplex reverse transcription PCRs with type-specific primers on the basis of their outer capsid proteins. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS software, version 19.ResultsOf the 435 stool samples from children with acute gastroenteritis, 27.6% were positive for rotavirus A. The predominant G type was G1 (37.5%), followed by G3 (25%), G2 (17.5%), G4 (12.5%), G9 (2.5%) and three mixed-G infections G3G4 (2.5%) were identified.Only P[8] (80.8%), P[4] (16.7%) and P[9] (0.8%) genotypes were found. The predominant single G/P combination was G1P[8] (37.5%), followed by G3P[8] (25%), G2P[4] (16.7%), G4P[8] (12.5%), G9P[8] (1.7%) and one case of the unusual combination G9P[9] (0.8%). The G-mixed types G3G4 combined with P[8] (2.5%). Infants less than 3 months of age were most frequently affected. The prevalence of rotavirus infection peaked in the winter season, when temperatures were low, and decreased in summer.ConclusionsRotavirus gastroenteritis is a common disease associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. Epidemiological knowledge of rotavirus is critical for the development of effective preventive measures, including vaccines.These data will help to make informed decisions as to whether rotavirus vaccine should be considered for inclusion in Tunisia's National Immunisation Programme.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Hassine-Zaafrane et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011