Volume 30, Issue 1, 2021
DOI: 10.24205/03276716.2020.2034
Identification and genotypic characterization of Rota - virus from children post vaccination in Aseer region of Southwestern Saudi Arabia – An ephemeral experience
Abstract
We intended to screen rotavirus (RV) infections post vaccination in Aseer region. Further, identification of the circulating genotypes will be a valuable information on the efficacy of the vaccination and clinical features of gastroenteritis as per the Modified Vesikari Score (MVS). 307 stool samples were collected from 450 children below five years with complaints of gastroenteritis between Nov 2017- Jan 2019. We used a questionnaire to document clinical symptoms as per Modified Vesikari Score method, history of RV vaccination and the adverse effects of immunization. The RV antigen rapid test and RT-PCR was carried out for identification and genotyping of the RV antigens in the stool. The prevalence of RV infection was 6.5% (20 samples). The most prevalent genotypes were G2P [4] (19 samples) against G1P [8] (1 sample). 90% of the positive cases had a severe MVS score (>11), while 10% of the positive cases had a mild MVS score, which was statistically significant (p<0.001). Continuous diarrhea, vomiting, and fever were the statistically significant adverse effects seen more among the RV positive patients. The low prevalence of RV infection with the presence of G2P [4)] strains gives us an initial picture of vaccine efficacy while envisaging any adverse effects impacting completion of vaccination doses.
Keywords
Rotavirus infection, G2P [4] genotype, Prevalence, adverse effects, Rotarix vaccine