Molecular Characterization of Rotavirus Strains Causing Gastroenteritis in Children under 5 Years in Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Rotavirus infection has been identified as the most common pathogen associated with acute gastroenteritis in infants and children worldwide. Objective: This work was designed to study the occurrence of rotavirus among children less than 5years with acute diarrhea admitted to Abu–El Rish hospital in Cairo, Egypt. Methods: 198 stool specimens were collected during the period from May 2015 to April 2016. The samples were tested for rotavirus by enzyme immunoassays (EIA) them rotavirus–positive specimens were G–genotyped by the semi–nested multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) using different type specific primers. Results: Out of 198 collected samples rotavirus infection was detected in 56 (28.3%). Of the rotavirus diarrhea, 64.3% occurred during the first year of life, with the peak prevalence of severe rotavirus disease in March and April. Among the common genotypes, G3 was the most predominant (17.8% of strains). Other identified genotypes such as G1, G9, and G10 were detected separately in 5.3% of the positive samples, whereas G4 was detected in only 1.8%. Furthermore, G2 was not found in this study. The most circulating mixed G types were G1+G3+G8 (17.8%), followed by G3+G9 (1.8%). Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that rotavirus accounted for 28.3% of gastroenteritis, particularly among children under 1years of age with a high prevalence of the G3 genotype. Our findings provide useful data for future vaccine development approaches in Egypt.