Detection and molecular characterisation of group a rotavirus from children in northern Botswana.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the presence of group A rotavirus in human stool samples in northern Botswana and to characterise the circulating strains.


METHODS
A cross sectional study.


METHODS
The University of Botswana and Botswana-Havard Partnership for HIV Research.


METHODS
A total of 210 stool samples was collected; 104 from hospitalised and 106 from non-hospitalised children, five years and below suffering from gastroenteritis.


RESULTS
Out of 210 diarrhoea stool samples collected, 27 (13%) tested positive for group A rotavirus. There was a higher prevalence of infection in hospitalised children (63%) as compared to the non-hospitalised ones (37%). Most rotavirus infections occurred in the age 24 months and below. Of the 13 samples which were positive by PAGE, the predominant electrophoretic pattern detected was the short (S) electrophoretype 9/13 (69%) followed by the long (L) electrophoretype 4/13 (31%). The following G types were detected; G2 (17%), G3 (22%), mixed infections found were G1+G2 (5.6%), G1+G8 (22%), G3+G9 (27.8%) and G1+G3+G9 (5.6%). P[6] was the only VP 4 genotype detected. Rotavirus strains G3P[6] and G3+G9P[6] were identified as the circulating strains in north Botswana.


CONCLUSIONS
The detection of uncommon rotavirus strains and the high proportion of mixed infections suggest a greater diversity of rotavirus infections among children in Botswana than previously reported. Our study reveals a complex epidemiological profile of rotavirus infection in Botswana that may require further molecular characterisation.
Kebaabetswe
L P
LP
Biology Department, University of Botswana, P. Bag UB 00704, Gaborone, Botswana.
Sebunya
T K
TK
Matsheka
M I
MI
Ndung'u
T
T
D001902:Botswana; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*