The Epidemiology of Human Rotavirus Associated with Diarrhoea in Kenyan Children: A Review

Abstract

Rotavirus gastroenteritis still remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among young children in developing countries, with approximately 150,000-200,000 deaths occurring annually in sub-Saharan Africa. We reviewed papers published over the last 30 years on the epidemiology of rotavirus diarrhoea among the hospitalized and out-patient children in Kenya. The analysis shows rotavirus prevalence of 6-56% with diarrhoea occurring throughout the year and generally exhibiting distinct peaks during the dry months. Among the common genotype, G1 was the most predominant up to the year 2002 but more recently there has been an emergence of genotype G9 as the most predominant genotype and to a less extent G8. It is important to continue rotavirus surveillance in Kenya to determine accurately the burden of rotavirus disease and the emerging new genotypes. This will assist policy makers in decision making on rotavirus vaccine introduction and determining the impact of the vaccine.

Characterization of Human Rotavirus Strains from Children with Diarrhea in Nairobi and Kisumu, Kenya, between 2000 and 2002

“…A review of rotavirus research in children with diarrhea conducted in Kenya between 1975 and 2005 revealed rotavirus prevalence ranging from 11% to 56.2% in children !5 years of age and 6% in neonates [37].…”

“…the first time in Africa. Additional studies in Nairobi between 1999 and 2000 indicated that G3 strains were predominant, with G4, G8, and G9 circulating at lower levels (reviewed by [37]). A further study conducted in Maua in 2004-2005 revealed G9 strains as predominant, with G8 and G1 strains also circulating [41].…”

Prevalence of severe acute rotavirus gastroenteritis and intussusceptions in Ghanaian children under 5 years of age

“…The peak incidence occurred in the dry season in 2008 and the rainy season in 2009. Distinct seasonal patterns of peak rotavirus incidence during dry cool months have been described in northern Ghana [23], Kenya [24] and during the winter months in temperate regions. Reports from Bangladesh have also described peaks during cool dry months in some parts of the country and two seasonal peaks of dry cool months and the monsoon season [25] as shown in this study.…”

Effect of a Point‐of‐Use Water Treatment and Safe Water Storage Intervention on Diarrhea in Infants of HIV‐Infected Mothers

“…In 2 studies of bacterial causes of diarrhea in western Kenya (largely in infants and young children), two-thirds of the diarrheal specimens yielded no bacterial pathogen [24,25]. Although the studies did not rule out viral or protozoan etiologies, which are known to be causes of pediatric diarrhea in Kenya [26][27][28][29][30], this study and other studies of childhood diarrhea have suggested that some diarrhea may occur independently of known pathogens [31]. Noninfectious etiologies may also be a factor.…”

“…Home visits for infants in cohorts A and B were scheduled at 1,4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40, and 44 weeks of age. At these visits, mothers were asked about infant illnesses and infant feeding practices (breast-feeding and supplementary feeding) since the last visit.…”