title: Rotavirus G and P types circulating in the eastern region of Kenya: predominance of G9 and emergence of G12 genotypes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The World Health Organization has recommended that rotavirus (RV) vaccines be included in all national immunization programs as part of a strategy to control RV-associated diarrheal diseases. Hospital-based surveillance of RV infection is therefore crucial in monitoring the impact pre- and post-vaccine introduction and also to document changes in genotype distribution. This study sought to determine the RV genotypes circulating in the eastern region of Kenya before introduction of the RV vaccine.
  
  
  METHODS
  During September 2009 to August 2011, 500 stool samples were collected from children <5 years of age admitted for acute diarrhea in hospitals in the eastern region of Kenya and analyzed for the presence of group A RV using an enzyme immunoassay. G and P genotypes were determined using hemi-nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and eighty nine out of 500 (38%) samples analyzed were positive for rotavirus. The following G types were detected: G9 (50.9%), G1 (26.8%), G8 (12.1%), G12 (3.1%), G2 (0.6%), mixed G (1.3%) and 5.1% were G nontypeable. P types detected included: P[8] (63.7%), P[4] (12.1%), P[6] (4.5%), mixed P (7.6%) and 12.1% were P nontypeable. The most dominant strain was G9P[8] (35%), followed by G1P[8] (26.8%), G8P[4] (9.6%), G12P[6] (2.5%), G9P[6] (1.9%), G9P[4] (1.3%), G8P[8] (1.3%), and G2P[4] (0.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study demonstrates the recurring changing genotypes of RV circulating in Kenya, with genotypes G9, G1 and G8 being the dominant strains circulating in the eastern region of Kenya between 2009 and 2011. Additionally, G12 genotype was detected for the first time in Kenya.
authors.affiliation: From the *Enteric Viruses Research Group, Institute of Primate Research, Karen, Nairobi, Kenya; †Regional Rotavirus Reference Laboratory, MRC/Medunsa Diarrheal Pathogens Research Unit, University of Limpopo; ‡Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; §Gastroenteritis and Respiratory Viruses Laboratory Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; ¶Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi; ‖Maua Methodist Hospital, Maua; **Meru General Hospital, Meru; ††Department of Applied Science, Medical Microbiology Program, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Karen Campus, Nairobi, Kenya; and ‡‡National Health Laboratory Service, Tshwane Academic Division, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: Nicholas M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Kiulia
authors.forename: Martin M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Nyaga
authors.forename: Mapaseka L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Seheri
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolfaardt
authors.forename: Walda B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: van Zyl
authors.forename: Mathew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Esona
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Irimu
authors.forename: Murithi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inoti
authors.forename: Bernard W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Gatinu
authors.forename: Peter K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Njenga
authors.forename: Maureen B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Atunga
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nyachieo
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines
chemical_list: D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines