Molecular epidemiology of human rotavirus.
The epidemiology of human rotavirus (HRV) in north-east Scotland was investigated between 1982 and 1984. During this period 708 HRV infections were recorded. The majority (83%) of the infections were in children less than 5 years of age although some were recorded in adults. The peak incidence occurred in the winter months although a high number of HRV infections was reported during the summer of 1983. A total of 840 faecal specimens containing rotavirus were screened for HRV genome RNA by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Seven hundred (83%) specimens gave RNA profiles suitable for establishing the HRV electrophoretype. Twenty-five different electrophoretypes were identified, of which 21 had 'long' RNA profiles and four had 'short' RNA profiles. There was extensive co-circulation of distinct electrophoretypes although during any one epidemic period the majority of viruses belonged to a relatively small number of types. Comparison of viruses collected from hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients showed no differences in electrophoretype distribution. HRV was identified in faecal specimens from a wide age group and no correlation was demonstrated between age of patient and electrophoretype of the infecting virus.
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P
Cash
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E
Freebain
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Brown
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Reid
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012606:Scotland; D013997:Time Factors
D012367:RNA, Viral