Epidemiology of rotavirus infection in Tokyo during two winter seasons, as revealed by analyses of recovered viral RNA.

Abstract

Sir, - Rotaviruses are important etiologic agents of acute gastroenteritis in young children all over the world [9]. Gel electrophoresis can be used to detect and genotype rotavirus strains [2, 3, 4, 8]. We have investigated the relationships between rotavirus RNA electropherotypes and the epidemiology of acute gastroenteritis in Tokyo. Three hundred and seventy-four diarrheal stool specimens were collected from in- and out-patients (less than 4 years old, mainly between 6 months and 2 years old) at Teikyo University Hospital in Tokyo during the winter periods of 1981-1982 and 1982-1983. Outbreaks of rotavirus infection developed in two nursery rooms during this time. Twentyeight and 11 stool specimens were obtained from children in each nursery room, respectively. The extraction of virus from feces and