Cause Of Acute Diarrhea Research Articles

Epidemiology of Rotavirus diarrhea in children under five: A hospital-based surveillance in Jakarta

Background Rotavirus is still a major cause of acute diarrhea in children around the world, both in developed and developingcountries. WHO Surveillance from 2001 to 2008 showed that in children under five years of age treated for acute diarrhea, on average 40% of cases were caused by rotavirus. A previous study in Indonesia showed that the incidence of rotavirus diarrhea in children ranged from 20%􀁑60% of diarrhea cases. However, there have been few studies identifying the genotypes of rotavirus strains in Indonesia. This infonnation is indispensable for manufacturing vaccines.Objective To examine the epidemiology of rotavirus diarrhea, including genotypes and clinical characteristics, in children under five years who were hospitalized in Jakarta.Methods This study was a prospective surveillance conducted at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta from January to December 2007 investigating hospitalized children under five years of age who suffered from acute diarrhea.Results Ninety􀁑nine patients joined the study. The incidence of rotavirus infection in this study was 67%. The youngest was 2months of age and the oldest 54 months of age, Mth an average age of 13.6 months. As much as 92% of rota virus diarrhea was found in subjects aged 3􀁑23 months, Mth a peak age of 12􀁑23 months. Nutritional status, degree of dehydration, bloating, fever, blood in stool, and mucus in the feces were not significantly different between rotavirus and non􀁑rotavirus diarrhea. Vomiting tended to be more frequently experienced by children Mth rotavirus diarrhea than those with non􀁑rotavirus (88% vs. 67%). There was no clear, seasonal pattern for rotavirus diarrhea. Most G genotypes in this study were G1 (35%), G9 (12.5%), G2 (7.5%) and the majority of P genotypes were P6 (52.5%), P8 (17.5%) and P4 (10%).Conclusions The incidence of rotavirus diarrhea in hospitalized children under five years of age in Jakarta was 67%, with apredominance ofG1, G9 and G2 genotypes.

Induction of Increased Permeability of Polarized Enterocyte Monolayers by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Heat-Labile Enterotoxin

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a common cause of acute diarrhea in resource-poor settings. We report that some ETEC strains elicit a reduction in trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TER) in polarized T84 epithelial cell monolayers. The effect was irreversible up to 48 hours after a three-hour infection and was observed with heat-labile enterotoxin (LT)-producing strains, but not with heat-stable enterotoxin (ST)-producing strains. Using purified LT, a mutant with reduced ADP-ribosylating activity, and the LT-B subunit alone, we demonstrate that TER reduction requires a functional enterotoxin. Treatment of monolayers with LT or LT-producing strains of ETEC increases paracellular permeability to fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran. Our data suggest that LT-producing ETEC strains may induce intestinal barrier dysfunction.

IgM seroconversion to Campylobacter jejuni in the first two years of life of children with gastrointestinal symptoms

Campylobacter is the most common bacteria isolated when sampling food and it is considered to be the most common cause of acute diarrhoea in people of all ages. In most countries, there are only data related to sporadic cases of Campylobacter infection, which is manifested by acute diarrhoea. The aim of this paper is to establish the existence of exposure to Campylobacter jejuni by serological analysis in healthy children under 2 years of age, who have previously had gastrointestinal symptoms. The examined group consisted of 77 healthy children under two years of age, who had had a history record of the existence of gastrointestinal symptoms prior to testing. Campylobacter concentration of IgM in serum was determined by ELISA method. Out of 77 children under the age of two, the existence of serum IgM antibodies to Campylobacter jejuni was confirmed in 32 children (42%), while the borderline result was found in 11 children (14%). Seroconversion occurs during the first year of life, and all children in the second year of life were IgM seropositive for Campylobacter jejuni. In the histories of seropositive children the most common symptoms had the form of heavy cramps in 48%. Considering the high incidence and variability of symptoms, the acquisition of Campylobacter jejuni is a major public health problem and there is a need to establish precise epidemiological data primarily in order to develop acquisition control of Campylobacter jejuni.

Ovine rotaviruses

Rotavirus has been recognized as a predominant cause of acute diarrhea in young animals and humans. Rotavirus has segmented genome composed of 11 segments of double stranded RNA. The virus has a triple layered protein shell consisting of a core, an inner capsid and an outer capsid. The inner capsid protein is responsible for group specificity and based on it rotaviruses are classified into seven groups. Ovine rotavirus strains have only been identified into two serogroups (A and B). The two outer capsid proteins (VP7 and VP4) are responsible for G and P typing of rotavirus, respectively. Although rotavirus has been frequently reported in many animal species, data regarding ovine rotavirus strains is very scanty and limited. Only a few ovine rotaviruses have been isolated and characterized so far. Recently, the G and P types circulating in ovines have been identified. The ovine rotavirus strain NT isolated from a diarrheic lamb in China is being considered as a promising vaccine candidate for human infants.

Rotavirus in children with diarrhea in Tripoli, Libya

The most common cause of acute diarrhea in young children in developed and developing countries are rotaviruses. In developing countries, it is estimated that 20-70% of hospitalizations and close to one million children below the age of five die annually because of rotavirus infections. Of the seven groups (A-G) of rotaviruses, group A is usually the cause of rotavirus-associated diarrhea. Infections due to rotaviruses occur via the fecal-oral route. Previous studies from Libya showed that rotavirus is the leading cause of infectious diarrhea. However, these studies were carried out more than a decade ago. (Published: 18 February 2011) Citation: Libyan J Med 2011, 6 : 6041 - DOI: 10.3402/ljm.v6i0.6041

Épidémiologie des gastroentérites virales en France et en Europe

Continuous surveillance of acute diarrhea in France has been conducted by Inserm's sentinel network of general practitioners (GP) since 1991. Similar GP-based studies have been performed in the Netherlands, Austria and the UK. The causes of most cases of acute diarrhea are unclear. In case-controlstudies designed to identify viruses in stools, 35 to 40% of cases and virtually none of the controls were positive for one of 4 major viruses (rotavirus, calicivirus, astrovirus and adenovirus). Thus, no viral cause was identified in more than 60% of patients with acute diarrhea. The causative role of viruses such as torovirus, picobirnavirus, picornavirus and enterovirus 22 has rarely been investigated. Further investigations are needed to identify other viral, bacterial fungal or parasitic causes of acute diarrhea. In France, on average, more than 3 million people (predominantly children) visit a GP for acute diarrhea each year. Most of these patients recover spontaneously within a few days, but the medical, social and economic costs of acute diarrhea are sufficiently high to justify a more aggressive public policy to prevent and control epidemics in Europe.

Epidemiology and burden of rotavirus infection among children in Hangzhou, China

Background Rotavirus is the most common cause of acute diarrhea in children younger than 5 years worldwide. However, few data have been collected on children with rotavirus diarrhea basing on outpatient department surveillance. Objectives To define the epidemiology of rotavirus diarrhea and to investigate the burden associated with diarrhea and rotavirus infection in Hangzhou, China. Study design Systematic surveillance of rotavirus diarrhea was conducted in inpatient wards and outpatient department from January 2007 to December 2008 in the Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. All stool specimens were tested for rotavirus by latex agglutination test. Results 46,499 stool samples were collected and 15,649 (33.7%) were tested positive for rotavirus. Positive rate for rotavirus was highest among children aged 12–24 months (39.0–39.6%). 92.4% children with rotavirus infection were <2 years, with constitution ratios of 21.8%, 41.8%, 21.8%, 8.4% and 6.2% in children aged 0–6 months, 7–12 months, 13–18 months, 19–24 months and >24 months, respectively. The percentage of children whose samples were tested positive for rotavirus ranged from 22.6% to 44.9% at different months, with a peak in October, November and December. The estimated annual rotavirus-associated outpatient visit and hospitalization incidences were 20.1 episodes/1000 children and 2.1 cases/1000 children for children <5 years of age, and were 39.1/1000 and 4.1/1000 for children <2 years of age in Hangzhou, respectively. Conclusions Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhea of children in Hangzhou, especially for children <2 years, which highlight the need of widespread rotavirus immunization for young children.

Temporal and spatial patterns of bovine Escherichia coli O157 prevalence and comparison of temporal changes in the patterns of phage types associated with bovine shedding and human E. coliO157 cases in Scotland between 1998-2000 and 2002-2004

BackgroundEscherichia coli O157 is an important cause of acute diarrhoea, haemorrhagic colitis and, especially in children, haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). Incidence rates for human E. coli O157 infection in Scotland are higher than most other United Kingdom, European and North American countries. Cattle are considered the main reservoir for E. coli O157. Significant associations between livestock related exposures and human infection have been identified in a number of studies.ResultsAnimal Studies: There were no statistically significant differences (P = 0.831) in the mean farm-level prevalence between the two studies (SEERAD: 0.218 (95%CI: 0.141-0.32); IPRAVE: 0.205 (95%CI: 0.135-0.296)). However, the mean pat-level prevalence decreased from 0.089 (95%CI: 0.075-0.105) to 0.040 (95%CI: 0.028-0.053) between the SEERAD and IPRAVE studies respectively (P < 0.001). Highly significant (P < 0.001) reductions in mean pat-level prevalence were also observed in the spring, in the North East and Central Scotland, and in the shedding of phage type (PT) 21/28. Human Cases: Contrasting the same time periods, there was a decline in the overall comparative annual reported incidence of human cases as well as in all the major PT groups except 'Other' PTs. For both cattle and humans, the predominant phage type between 1998 and 2004 was PT21/28 comprising over 50% of the positive cattle isolates and reported human cases respectively. The proportion of PT32, however, was represented by few (<5%) of reported human cases despite comprising over 10% of cattle isolates. Across the two studies there were differences in the proportion of PTs 21/28, 32 and 'Other' PTs in both cattle isolates and reported human cases; however, only differences in the cattle isolates were statistically significant (P = 0.002).ConclusionThere was no significant decrease in the mean farm-level prevalence of E. coli O157 between 1998 and 2004 in Scotland, despite significant declines in mean pat-level prevalence. Although there were declines in the number of human cases between the two study periods, there is no statistically significant evidence that the overall rate (per 100,000 population) of human E. coli O157 infections in Scotland over the last 10 years has altered. Comparable patterns in the distribution of PTs 21/28 and 32 between cattle and humans support a hypothesized link between the bovine reservoir and human infections. This emphasizes the need to apply and improve methods to reduce bovine shedding of E. coli O157 in Scotland where rates appear higher in both cattle and human populations, than in other countries.

Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Rotavirus and Norovirus Infections During Infancy in a Chilean Birth Cohort

Rotavirus and more recently norovirus have been recognized as 2 of the most common causes of acute diarrhea in children. Comparative analysis of these infections in a birth cohort has not been performed and can provide relevant insight on clinical and viral behaviors. Mother-infant pairs from middle-low socioeconomic background living in the Metropolitan Region of Chile are being followed for 18 months in 2 outpatient clinics. Infants are evaluated monthly for asymptomatic excretion of rotavirus and norovirus and during acute diarrhea episodes (ADE) for rotavirus, norovirus, and bacterial enteropathogens. Severity of ADE is evaluated using the Vesikari score. Between July 1, 2006 and September 1, 2008 a total of 198 children were followed for a mean of 15.7 months. Asymptomatic rotavirus and norovirus infections were detected in 1.3% and 8% of 2278 stool samples compromising 14% and 57% of infants, respectively. Incidence of ADE was approximately 0.8 for the first year of life and approximately 0.6 for the 13 to 18 month age group. Rotavirus and norovirus were detected in 15% and 18% of 145 ADE evaluated. Mean Vesikari score was 10.4 and 7.4 for rotavirus and norovirus respectively (P = 0.01) and severity was not associated with age of patients for either virus. Reinfections were more common for norovirus asymptomatic episodes: 44% versus 19% (P = 0.01) and borderline for symptomatic episodes: 40% versus 11% (P = 0.08). Rotavirus genotype G9P8 and norovirus genogroup II (GII) predominated although most asymptomatic episodes for both viruses were nontypable. None of 19 symptomatic GII norovirus infections had a previous documented GII infection compared with 10 of 31 asymptomatic GII infections (OR = 0. 95% CL = 0, 0.59; P = 0.008). Children had suffered a mean of approximately 1.4 ADE by 18 months of age of which 15% and 18% were caused by rotavirus and norovirus, respectively. In general rotavirus infections were more severe than norovirus infections and for both viruses severity was not related to age. Norovirus reinfections were significantly more common than rotavirus reinfections but for GII norovirus a primary infection seems to confer protection against clinically significant reinfections.

Rotavirus Infections among HIV-Infected Children in Nairobi, Kenya

Human rotaviruses have emerged as a leading cause of acute diarrhea in children <5 years of age worldwide. Although there are previous reports relating to various aspects of rotaviruses, there is limited data on the involvement of rotavirus infection in HIV-infected children. We therefore evaluated the importance of rotavirus infections in HIV-related diarrhea in Kenyan children. Fecal samples were collected from a total of 207 children during the period February 1999 to June 2000 and screened for HRV antigen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Positive samples were analyzed by VP6 subgroup specificity assay, by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Fourteen percent (29/207) of the samples were positive. HIV-seropositive children with diarrhea were more likely than their counterparts without diarrhea to have rotaviruses [23.3% (10/43) versus 2.9% (2/70); p = 0.0001]. Rotavirus strain G3P[6] was predominant. These results indicate that rotavirus is an important viral etiological agent causing diarrhea in HIV-seropositive children.

Antagonistic activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus RY2 isolated from healthy infancy feces on the growth and adhesion characteristics of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAggEC) infection is an important cause of acute diarrhea, affecting children in developing countries and travelers visiting tropical or subtropical areas. Three probiotics can exert bacteriostatic or bactericidal effects on human and animal intestinal pathogens, the efficiency of probiotics on EAggEC infection remains unclear. In this study, the antagonistic activity of probiotic bacteria isolated from infant faeces was examined against several EAggEC stains. While three isolates, Lactobacillus acidophilus RY2, Lactobacillus salivarius MM1 and Lactobacillus paracasei En4 were shown to significantly inhibit the growth of EAggEC. In addition, the antagonistic activity of the Lactobacillus species was maintained despite heating (100 °C, 15 min) of cell free culture supernatant (CFCS). The antagonistic activity of the CFCS however, could be reduced following lactate dehydrogenase treatment and at pH 7.2. Furthermore, in an adhesion–inhibition assay, L. acidophilus RY2 was shown to be more effective than L. salivarius MM1 and L. paracasei EN4. This study suggests that L. acidophilus RY2 could be used as a probiotic organism against EAggEC.

Genetically modified enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli vaccines induce mucosal immune responses without inflammation

Objective:Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major cause of acute diarrhoea in children in the developing world, in travellers and in the military. Safe, effective vaccines could reduce morbidity and...

Nosocomial infection due to rotavirus in infants in Alzahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran.

Rotavirus is one of the most common causes of acute diarrhoea during infancy, and the spread of this infection due to rotavirus in paediatric wards can cause acute diarrhoea during hospitalization, and, in turn, prolong hospitalization or rehospitalization. It is, therefore, important to evaluate the problem and to find an appropriate approach to decrease the rate of infection. The incidence of nosocomial infection due to rotavirus was studied in 80 children aged 3-24 months from November 2003 to April 2004 in the Alzahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. Rotavirus antigen was detected by latex aggulutation in stool samples obtained during hospitalization and up to 72 hours after discharge from the hospital. The prevalence of nosocomial infection due to rotavirus was 26.25%, which is a considerable prevalence compared to similar studies which reported a prevalence of 27.7%, 19.4%, and 14.6%. Overall, 15% of the 21 children with positive rotavirus antigen in their stools had acute diarrhoea during hospitalization and up to 72 hours after discharge (symptomatic nosocomial infection), and 11.25% of all children (n=80) studied had asymptomatic nosocomial infection. Regarding the low frequency of nosocomial infection due to rotavirus in other studies which have only studied symptomatic cases during hospitalization and reported a prevalence of 3.3 and 9%, it is suggested that the real estimation of nosocomial infection due to rotavirus in asymptomatic cases that might become symptomatic after discharge from hospital should also be considered. Due to the relatively high frequency of nosocomial infection in the Alzahra Hospital, it is necessary to follow stricter health issues, e.g. isolation of patients with diarrhoea and hand-washing before and after the examination of every patient.

Rotavirus Disease in Young Children from Hanoi, Vietnam

Pathogen prevalences and antimicrobial susceptibilities are essential for the rational development of preventive strategies for diarrheal diseases, but little recent information from Vietnam is available. We prospectively studied the prevalence of enteric pathogens in children less than 5 years of age with acute diarrhea and in nondiarrhea controls in a city hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam for 1 year. Enteric bacteria and viruses were detected by standard culture methods, and enzyme immunoassay in 291 cases and 291 controls. Detection rates of viral pathogens among cases and controls were 31% and 3% for rotavirus, 12% and 1% for astrovirus and 4% and 1% for adenovirus. For bacterial pathogens, Aeromonas, Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter and enterotoxigenic E. coli were isolated from cases and controls in 15% and 8%, 9% and 1%, 7% and 1%, 4% and 0%, and 3% and 0%, respectively. The isolation of bacterial and viral pathogens except for adenovirus was significantly lower in controls than cases. Fluoroquinolones were effective against most bacterial enteropathogens, but resistance was observed in 27% of Campylobacter isolates. Viral etiologic agents especially rotavirus were the most important cause of acute diarrhea in children less than 5 years of age in Hanoi. The burden of rotavirus in young children in Hanoi warrants consideration of using the recently released rotavirus vaccine.

Diarrhées parasitaires

After a trip to tropical areas, diarrhea is frequent and is most often due to a parasite. Amebiasis is the principal cause of acute diarrhea. The other intestinal parasites cause chronic diarrhea, including in temperate countries; these include Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and Microsporidium species in immunocompromised patients. Helminthic diseases, either cosmopolitan (Ascaris, Enterobius, and Taenia) or tropical (hookworms, Strongyloides, and Schistosoma), cause diarrhea with blood hypereosinophilia. Diagnosis is based on the examination of stool. Treatment is rapid, effective and well tolerated, while prophylaxis is often difficult to explain to the populations concerned.

Prevalence of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in a Diarrheagenic Tunisian Population, and the Report of Isolating STEC O157:H7 in Tunis

In Mellassine (a major city in the state of Tunis) and Ben Arous state (south east of Tunis), a total of 212 stool samples were collected from children and adults (symptomatic and asymptomatic groups) between November 2001 and November 2004. Three hundred and twenty-seven E. coli strains were isolated and studied, to look for shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains, which were further analysed to investigate and determine clonal relationship among Tunisian STEC strains isolated from different sources (diarrheal cases and food products). They were analysed to characterize their serotypes, virulence genes by PCR, cytotoxic effect on Vero cell, plasmid profiles, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns. Eleven isolates (10 nontypeable, one O157:H7) carried stx gene and shared Stx restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns (stx1 ( + ), stx2 ( + )). Seven of these strains were isolated from acute diarrheal cases, and four were isolated from a control group (among which the only isolated STEC O157:H7). Two of the STEC strains harboured both eae and ehxA genes. Analysis of the cytotoxic effect on Vero cells showed that a correlation exists between carrying stx1 ( + ), stx2 ( + ) genes and cytotoxicity. Also a correlation was noticed between STEC strains recovered from different sources regarding plasmid profiles and PFGE patterns. All stool samples positive for STEC were nonbloody. None of the STEC-positive patients developed severe diseases. These data demonstrate that although STEC is not a major cause of acute diarrhea in Tunis, it should not be overlooked. Measures should be taken to improve the detection and isolation of STEC from acute diarrheal cases as well as carriers.

INCIDENCE, ETIOLOGY, AND IMPACT OF DIARRHEA AMONG DEPLOYED US MILITARY PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM

A health assessment survey was collected from US military personnel deployed to the Middle East taking part in the "Rest and Recuperation" program or on temporary assignment to Camp As Sayliyah Doha, Qatar, from January to December 2004. In addition, a concurrent clinic-based observational study was conducted to determine pathogen etiology and potential risk factors. From 28,322 health assessment surveys, overall self-reported incidence of diarrhea was 4.9 cases per 100 person-months. Disease incidence increased with rank and was higher in Iraq compared with Afghanistan. During this period, 109 US military personnel with acute diarrhea and 85 asymptomatic personnel were enrolled in the observational study. Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) was the predominant pathogen (32%), followed by enteroaggregative E. coli (12%) and Salmonella spp. (6%). These data are consistent with previous reports implicating ETEC as the primary cause of acute diarrhea for military personnel deployed to this region.

John McFadyean and the Centenary of the First Isolation of Campylobacter Species

Campylobacter species recently emerged as a leading cause of acute diarrhea in humans, but it is not generally known that these species were first cultured from samples from aborting ewes as far back as 1906. This took place in the United Kingdom during a study that spanned several years of epizootic abortion in cattle and sheep. The chief investigator in this major undertaking was John McFadyean, a little-known yet remarkable man who founded veterinary pathology in Britain and who made immense contributions to public health. A brief portrayal illustrates his uncompromising dedication to scientific accuracy and to his profession, often in the face of opposition.

Cryptosporidiose humaine et espèces en cause en Haïti

Contamination by water-born infectious diseases is closely linked to urban slums conditions such as overcrowding and high level of faecal pollution by animal and human excreta. In this environment, cryptosporidiosis is a major cause of acute diarrhoea in children and chronic persistent diarrhoea in AIDS patients, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality in both populations. The aims of this study conducted in Port-au-Prince, Haiti were to: (i) determine the frequency of Cryptosporidium infection in two populations of patients with diarrhoea, children and AIDS patients, and the existence of Cryptosporidium carriage in healthy adults living in close contact with them; (ii) identify by molecular genotyping the Cryptosporidium species involved; and (iii) evaluate the viability of Cryptosporidium oocysts isolated from human stools. From January 2000 to January 2001, 158 of 1529 diarrhoea stool samples collected from 93 patients with diarrhoea, 57 adults followed at Centres GHESKIO and 36 children admitted at the University Hospital in Port-au-Prince contained Cryptosporidium oocysts (10.3%). The majority of adult patients (98%) were HIV-infected whereas the majority of children (81%) tested negative for HIV. Cryptosporidium was documented in only 1/102 healthy persons living in contact with Cryptosporidium infected patients and infection was with the same genotype as that of the contact patient. Among the 69 Cryptosporidium isolates studied for genotyping, three species were identified: C. hominis (59%), C. parvum (38%) and C. felis (3%). The two C. felis cases are the first reported from AIDS patients in the Caribbean. Most of the children regardless of their HIV status were infected with C. hominis (72%), whereas AIDS patients were more likely to be infected by either human or animal genotypes. These data confirm that immunocompromised individuals are susceptible to a wide range of Cryptosporidium spp. Viability of Cryptosporidium oocysts were determined in an experimental mouse model for 17/18 specimen studied including in 12/13 C. hominis, 4/4 C. parvum and 1/1 C. felis. Infectivity in newborn mice was found to be dose-dependent and more effective with C. parvum than the other two genotypes. Cryptosporidiosis remains a frequent hazard for both AIDS patients and young children in Haiti because of poor hygiene, particularly contaminated water and overcrowded conditions associated with urban slums.

Isolation, immunochemical demonstration of field strains of porcine group A rotaviruses and electrophoretic analysis of RNA segments of group A and C rotaviruses

Rotaviruses are major cause of acute diarrhea in animals and humans which can result in huge economic losses in farm animals including pigs. We collected 195 samples of feces of diarrhoeic animals. Rotavirus was demonstrated by electron microscopy using the method of negative staining in 27 samples and by ELISA test using monoclonal antibodies to the group antigen VP6 in 44 samples. Nine samples were selected for virus isolation. Three virus isolates (P375/4, P410/4 and P646/1) were successfully adapted to growth in cell line MA-104. These isolates were allocated to group A rotaviruses based on ELISA, immunoperoxidase test and electropherotype analysis. Electropherotype analysis demonstrated changes during passage in cell line in two of the three isolates. The selected sample P543/1 proved negative in ELISA in a fecal sample. Electropherotype analysis of this sample revealed a &amp;ldquo;longer&amp;rdquo; electropherotype profile. The profile was suggestive of group C rotavirus. Rotavirus group C was confirmed by RT-PCR and by sequence analysis in this sample.