Rotavirus Serotypes and Subgroups in Gastroenteritis

Abstract

Faecal specimens from 66 children, aged  between one month and 39 months, presenting with gastroenteritis at three de hospitals in Ibadan, were examined by electron microscopy for viral agents. Rotavirus particles were identified in 24.2 percent of the specimens and further analysis of these rotavirus-positive specimens by SDS-PAGE and micotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide-phosphate (NADP) enhanced ELISA, showed that all the patients were infected with serotype I of group A rotavirus. Of the 13 rotavirus positive specimens, 15.4 percent belonged to subgroup I, while 84.6 percent of the 11 specimens belonged to subgroup II. Diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration were associated with most of the 66 cases. In addition, blood-stained faeces was found in 25 percent of those with rotavirus, while inucoid faeces was found in 72 percent of those without rotavirus.