Work

Epidemiology and Genotyping of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Children <5 Years in Sikkim, North East India

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: Rotavirus is a frequent cause of gastroenteritis in young children. It is seasonal in many countries but occurs year-round in India.Since the launch of the Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV) morbidity and mortality in children have greatly decreased. This study was carried out prior to the inclusion of RVV in the state vaccination schedule in 2019. The objective of the study was to estimate the burden of Rota Virus Gastroeneteritis in kids under 5 years of age, attending a government tertiary care hospital in the state and to identify the common circulating genotypes of Rotavirus. Methods: Stool samples from children with more than three episodes of loose stool that were negative for bacterial enteric pathogens were tested by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for Rotavirus antigen. Positive stool samples were transported to the Regional Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory at National Institute for Cholera and Enteric Diseases for genotyping. Results: 200 stool samples were screened and 40 samples (20%) were positive for Rotavirus antigen by ELISA. G3P [8] - 33% (9/27), followed by G1P[8] -15%(4/27) and G2P4 - 11%( 3/27) were the most common genotypes. Conclusion: Rotavirus is a significant cause of gastroenteritis in children under five years of age in the Indian state of Sikkim.

Source: Journal of Global Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.4103/jgid.jgid_91_24