title: Rotavirus hospitalization and molecular epidemiology in northern Japan, 1987-1996.
abstract: Anticipating rotavirus vaccine in Japan, we examined long-term trends in rotavirus hospitalizations and characterized circulating strains. Rotavirus was detected in 974 children aged <5 years hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis in Akita between 1987 and 1996. The unadjusted incidence rate of rotavirus hospitalizations was 14.9 per 1000 child-years. In 9 out of 11 seasons G1P[8] was the most frequent genotype averaging 75%, but G2P[4] accounted for 87% of genotypes in 1 season. Interestingly, one strain found was the first and only G8P[4] reported in Japan. The burden of rotavirus hospitalization is substantial in Japan, and economic analysis may expedite vaccine introduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and the Global Center of Excellence, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Toyoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakagomi
authors.forename: Bok-Ryun
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nakagomi
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D005838:Genotype; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000235:genetics; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012621:Seasons