title: Rotavirus epidemiology in Vellore, south India: group, subgroup, serotype, and electrophoretype.
abstract: Rotaviruses were detected in 163 of 916 (17.8%) specimens collected from children under 3 years of age with gastroenteritis in Vellore, South India, between August 1983 and July 1985. Rotaviruses were detected throughout the study period, with a peak prevalence in December to February (winter) and June to August (southwest monsoon season). A total of 117 rotavirus strains were tested for subgroup, serotype, and rotavirus double-stranded RNA electrophoretic migration pattern; 24.8% of the strains were subgroup I, 69.2% were subgroup II, and 6.0% were neither subgroup I nor subgroup II. Subgroup I and II strains were circulating concurrently throughout the study. Of the 117 rotavirus strains, 32 (27.4%) were serotyped; 15 were serotype 1, 3 were serotype 2, 2 were serotype 3, and 12 were serotype 4. Three serotypes were circulating concurrently during the periods of peak rotavirus prevalence. In 100 of the 117 strains (85.4%) an RNA pattern was detected. One unusual subgroup I group A rotavirus with a long migration pattern and four atypical rotaviruses serologically related to group C were also detected.
authors.affiliation: Wellcome Research Unit, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, India.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mathan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Beards
authors.forename: V I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Mathan
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D010507:Periodicity; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012703:Serotyping
chemical_list: D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded