Circulating Genotypes of Rotavirus Prior to Rotarix?vaccine Introduction in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Abstract

In Nepal, it is estimated that about 3 million children under 5 years of age are prone to diarrhea and previous studies have shown rotavirus as the major etiological agent. Given the high burden of rotavirus, Rotarix® vaccine was introduced in the national immunization schedule in July 2020. This study was carried out in a tertiary health center from January- September 2018 to determine the burden of rotavirus diarrhea as well as genotypic variations in the circulating virus prior to vaccine introduction in Kathmandu, Nepal. Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted among children less than 5 years of age attending Kanti Children's Hospital. Rotavirus antigen detection was performed by enzyme immunoassay using ProSpecT Rotavirus Microplate Assay. Rotavirus A positive samples were further confirmed by genotyping using Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction. A total of 530 children that included 184 males and 346 females were enrolled in this study. Rotavirus antigen was detected in 112 (21.1%) stool samples. Of the total 112 positive EIA stool samples that were genotyped, G12P[6] (30.3%) was found to be the most common type, followed by G3P[8] (26.8%), mixed type (14.3%), and G1P[6] (13.4%). Continued surveillance should be carried out nationwide in Nepal to understand the effectiveness of the vaccination program and to report any new trends in the circulating genotypes.