Circulation of Aichi virus genotype B strains in children with acute gastroenteritis in India

Abstract

Acute gastroenteritis (AG) is considered as one of the major health problems affecting humans of all ages. A number of viruses have been recognized as important causes of this disease. Recently, Aichi virus has been shown to play an aetiological role in sporadic infections and outbreaks of AG. A study on surveillance of enteric viruses was conducted during 2004 - 2008 in three cities in Maharashtra state, western India. A total of 1240 stool specimens from children aged ≤8 years hospitalized for AG were screened for the presence of Aichi virus by RT - PCR of the 3C - 3D junction region followed by sequencing for the identification of genotype. Aichi virus was detected at a prevalence of 1·1% in the <5 years age group and characterized as genotype B. This is the first report on the circulation of Aichi virus genotype B in India. © Copyright Cambridge University Press 2011.