10-Year Rotavirus Infection Surveillance: Epidemiological Trends in the Pediatric Population of Perugia Province

Abstract

Rotavirus (RV) infections are a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in children, and vaccination is currently recommended in Italy, according to the National Immunization Plan 2017–2019. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological and molecular RV surveillance in the pediatric population of Perugia province, Umbria. Between September 2007 and August 2018, 663 RV-positive stool specimens were collected from children <15 years of age presenting with gastroenteritis to the emergency room of the Perugia province hospitals who were then hospitalized. Yearly hospitalization rates were expressed per 100,000 persons, and denominators were extrapolated from the National Institute of Statistics. During the 10-year surveillance, the epidemiological trend was fluctuating but slightly decreasing (Max: 89.7 per 100,000 in 2010/2011; Min: 34.8 per 100,000 in 2017/2018). The hospitalization rate was higher in males and in children under five years of age. Among common genotypes, G1P[8] was prevalent most of the years. The uncommon G12P[8] genotype emerged and was the most common in 2012/2013 (58.2%). Afterwards, its circulation remained high. As the Umbria Region started vaccinating from the 2018 birth cohort, our study reviewed pre-vaccination data and will help to assess the protection induced by vaccination and its effect on circulating strains.

Molecular characterization of rotavirus indicates predominance of G9P[4] genotype among children with acute gastroenteritis: First report after vaccine introduction in Pakistan

“…33 Globally G9 genotype is commonly being circulated in combination with P [8] which is different from our study. [34][35][36][37] In the current study, G1 genotype was detected in 22.3% cases and is found in combination with P [4], P [6], and P [8]. G1P [8] genotype was detected in 19% cases during 2018-2020 that dropped to 15.7% in 2020 from 23.6% in 2019.…”

“…13,18,20,24 Moreover, the proportion of G1P [8] circulating is low in other countries like Italy, India, USA, Australia, Africa, and Europe. 27,37,38 Globally, decline in G1P [8] 31 but interestingly in current study, substantial drop in G2P [4] has observed from 11.5% in 2018 to 2.4% in 2020. These results may negate the Rotarix vaccine pressure associated G2P [4] predominance.…”

Epidemiological investigations of diarrhea in children in Praia city, Cape Verde

“…Rotavirus A infections are reported to be the leading cause of severe acute gastroenteritis in young children and infants worldwide ( Gupta et al, 2019 ; Damtie et al, 2020 ; Waure et al, 2020 ); however, in Cape Verde, vaccination against RVA is not included in the national vaccination calendar. The results for RVA infection obtained in this study are in line with those reported in different countries, mainly in poor or developing countries; for example, in a study carried out in Taiwan, RVA remained the main cause of viral gastroenteritis that requires hospitalization in children, even after vaccine implementation, but at a much lower rate (43 and 46–21.2%) ( Chen et al, 2015 ).…”

Rotaviruses: From Pathogenesis to Disease Control—A Critical Review

“…About one in every three adult infections is clinically inapparent, although reinfection in both children and adults does occur [ 30 , 60 ]. Boys infected with rotavirus are more likely than girls to be admitted to the hospital [ 160 ]. The reason for this difference has not yet been proven.…”