Distribution of rotavirus genotypes in three Croatian regions among children ≤5 years of age (2012–2014)

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Maja Vrdoljak
• Author: Marija Gužvinec
• Author: Vladimir Trkulja
• Author: Iva Butić
• Author: Ivo Ivić
• Author: Vjekoslav Krželj
• Author: Marija Tonkić
• Author: Marija Hegeduš Jungvirth
• Author: Marina Payerl Pal
• Author: Goran Tešović
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Infectious Diseases)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Pharmacology)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Basic Medical Sciences; Pharmacology
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Infectology

Abstract (english)

Objectives: Rotavirus is the major cause of severe diarrhea in young children worldwide. In countries like Croatia, where rotavirus vaccine has not been introduced in the national immunization program, prospective surveillance is necessary to establish the diversity of rotavirus strains. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and geographical distribution of rotavirus strains in Croatia and to detect the possible emergence of novel strains.
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Methods: The study was conducted among children ≤5 years of age with acute gastroenteritis at three hospitals located in different geographical regions of Croatia, during the years 2012 to 2014. Rotavirus was detected in stools using an immunochromatographic assay and then sent for further molecular analysis.
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Results: Genotyping of 822 rotaviruses showed that the predominant circulating strain was G1P[8] (61.9%), followed by G2P[4] (19.5%), G1P[4] (3.9%), and G3P[8] (2.9%). A high prevalence of reassortants among common human rotavirus genotypes was detected (7.7%). Possible zoonotic reassortants were found, including G8 and G6 strains. The latter is described for the first time in Croatia.
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Conclusions: This study represents pre-vaccination data that are important for decisions regarding immunization strategies in Croatia. The high prevalence of 'common' rotavirus strains circulating in Croatia may advocate for rotavirus vaccine introduction, but further surveillance is necessary to monitor the possible emergence of novel genotypes.

• Keywords (english): Child; Child, Preschool; Croatia / epidemiology; Diarrhea / epidemiology; Diarrhea / prevention & control; Diarrhea / virology; Feces / virology; Female; Gastroenteritis / epidemiology; Gastroenteritis / prevention & control; Gastroenteritis / virology; Genotype; Hospitals; Humans; Immunization Programs; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Rotavirus / genetics; Rotavirus / immunology; Rotavirus / isolation & purification; Rotavirus Infections / epidemiology; Rotavirus Infections / prevention & control; Rotavirus Infections / virology; Rotavirus Vaccines / immunology
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: International Journal of Infectious Diseases
• Numbering: vol. 89, pp. 3-9
• p-ISSN: 1201-9712
• e-ISSN: 1878-3511
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2019.09.008
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:477113
• Publication: 2019-12
• Document URL: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1201971219303704
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2021-03-09 08:39:23