title: Rotavirus genotype distribution during the pre-vaccine period in Bolivia: 2007-2008.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rotavirus is the most important etiology of severe diarrhea in Bolivia. The monovalent attenuated human oral rotavirus vaccine Rotarix(®) was introduced in Bolivia in 2008. We describe the molecular epidemiology of circulating rotavirus strains before vaccine introduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two thousand one hundred thirty-five diarrheal samples were collected from hospitals in four Bolivian cities during 2007-2008. Forty-three percent (445 of 1030 rotavirus-positive samples) were analyzed for G and P genotypes. Among those, 331 were electropherotyped by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Disease severity was quantified using a modified Vesikari scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 445 samples, five genotypes were found to be prevalent: G9P[8] (33%), G1P[6] (17%), G2P[4] (13%), G9P[6] (12%), and G1P[8] (4%). Co-infections with two or more strains accounted for 14% of samples. The most prevalent strain, G9, showed greater electropherotype diversity compared to other serogroups. Strain G1P[6] generally infected younger children and peaked later in the year than other strains. No particular genotype was associated with a higher severity score, though there was a significant difference in the duration of diarrhea between genotypes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During the 2-year pre-vaccine period, substantial diversity of rotavirus co-circulating strains was observed. These data constitute a baseline against which changes in circulating strains post-vaccine introduction can be monitored.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, Bolivia.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Forney
authors.forename: Maria René
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: Paulina A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Rebolledo
authors.forename: Nataniel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mamani
authors.forename: Maritza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patzi
authors.forename: Percy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Halkyer
authors.forename: Juan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Leon
authors.forename: Volga
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Iñiguez
mesh_terms: D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D001838:Bolivia / Q000453:epidemiology; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D012621:Seasons
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines; C061332:VP6 protein, Rotavirus
keywords: Epidemiologic surveillance; Molecular epidemiology; Pediatric diarrhea; Pediatric infectious diseases; Rotavirus