Open Access
Subscription or Fee Access
HUMAN GROUP C ROTAVIRUSES IDENTIFIED IN KENYA
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: Rotavirus is associated with acute infantile gastro-enteritis in infants and
young children worldwide. Rotavirus is associated with the high cases of morbidity and
mortality and it is estimated that up to 650,000 deaths in young children occur annually
in the less developed countries. Approximately a quarter of these deaths occur in African
children yet minimal data exist on the circulating rotavirus strains in Africa.
Objective: To characterise the circulating rotavirus strains in Kenya.
Design: A prospective study to investigate rotavirus infection in infants and young
children with acute diarrhoea in different areas of Kenya. Between September 2001
and February 2002, 119 faecal specimens were collected from children aged between
1 and 60 months with acute infantile gastro-enteritis.
Setting: Faecal samples were collected from clinics around Nairobi and its suburbs
including Karen, Ngong, Ongata Rongai
Subjects and Methods: Faecal samples were collected from 119 infants and young children
with diarrhoea and were analysed by commercial ELISA and polyacrylamide gel
electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to identify possible non-group A rotaviruses. Extraction
of any potential rrotavirus double-stranded RNA from faeces amd characterisation by
SDS-PAGE showed the presence of human group C rotaviruses.
Results: Examination of these samples with a commercial ELISA assay for the presence
of group A rotavirus antigen showed that 13 specimens (11%) were positive. An analysis
of all stool specimens was performed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to identify
possible non-group A rotaviruses. Extraction of any potential rotavirus double-stranded
RNA from faeces and characterisation by SDS-PAGE showed the presence of human
group C rotaviruses.
Conclusion: This is the first report of group C rotaviruses in Kenya. Further studies
are underway to continue the surveillance of rotavirus strains in Kenya; as this
information will be useful in planning rotavirus vaccine trials in Africa.
Background: Rotavirus is associated with acute infantile gastro-enteritis in infants and
young children worldwide. Rotavirus is associated with the high cases of morbidity and
mortality and it is estimated that up to 650,000 deaths in young children occur annually
in the less developed countries. Approximately a quarter of these deaths occur in African
children yet minimal data exist on the circulating rotavirus strains in Africa.
Objective: To characterise the circulating rotavirus strains in Kenya.
Design: A prospective study to investigate rotavirus infection in infants and young
children with acute diarrhoea in different areas of Kenya. Between September 2001
and February 2002, 119 faecal specimens were collected from children aged between
1 and 60 months with acute infantile gastro-enteritis.
Setting: Faecal samples were collected from clinics around Nairobi and its suburbs
including Karen, Ngong, Ongata Rongai
Subjects and Methods: Faecal samples were collected from 119 infants and young children
with diarrhoea and were analysed by commercial ELISA and polyacrylamide gel
electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to identify possible non-group A rotaviruses. Extraction
of any potential rrotavirus double-stranded RNA from faeces amd characterisation by
SDS-PAGE showed the presence of human group C rotaviruses.
Results: Examination of these samples with a commercial ELISA assay for the presence
of group A rotavirus antigen showed that 13 specimens (11%) were positive. An analysis
of all stool specimens was performed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to identify
possible non-group A rotaviruses. Extraction of any potential rotavirus double-stranded
RNA from faeces and characterisation by SDS-PAGE showed the presence of human
group C rotaviruses.
Conclusion: This is the first report of group C rotaviruses in Kenya. Further studies
are underway to continue the surveillance of rotavirus strains in Kenya; as this
information will be useful in planning rotavirus vaccine trials in Africa.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
