Persistence of G10P[11] neonatal rotavirus infections in southern India

Abstract

Background: Neonatal rotavirus infections are predominantly caused by distinct genotypes restricted to this age-group and are mostly asymptomatic. Method: Stool samples from neonates admitted for >48 h in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Vellore (2014–2015) and Chennai (2015–2016) in southern India, and from neonates born at hospitals in Vellore but not admitted to NICUs (2015–2016) were tested for rotavirus by ELISA and genotyped by hemi-nested RT-PCR. Results: Of 791 neonates, 150 and 336 were recruited from Vellore and Chennai NICUs, and 305 were born in five hospitals in Vellore. Positivity rates in the three settings were 49.3% (74/150), 29.5% (99/336) and 54% (164/305), respectively. G10P[11] was the commonly identified genotype in 87.8% (65/74), 94.9% (94/99) and 98.2% (161/164) of the neonates in Vellore and Chennai NICUs, and those born at Vellore hospitals, respectively. Neonates delivered by lower segment cesarian section (LSCS) at Vellore hospitals, not admitted to NICUs, had a significantly higher odds of acquiring rotavirus infection compared to those delivered vaginally [ p = 0.002 , OR = 2.4 (1.4–4.3)]. Conclusions: This report demonstrates the persistence of G10P[11] strain in Vellore and Chennai, indicating widespread neonatal G10P[11] strain in southern India and their persistence over two decades, leading to interesting questions about strain stability.

A shift in circulating rotaviral genotypes among hospitalized neonates

“…It is evident that different genotypes are present in different parts of the world. Between 1988 and 2016, G10P[11] was the single circulating genotype in the neonatal nursery and NICU for several years in South India 17 . The lack of diversity in the circulating genotypes in the neonatal nursery and neonatal ICU was considered a hallmark of neonatal RV infection.…”

“…G10P[11] I321 strain causes both symptomatic and asymptomatic RV infection among neonates 16 . G10P[11] was also documented as the circulating strain in the hospital units investigated between 2014 and 2016 17 .…”