title: Epidemiologic and genotypic characteristics of rotavirus strains detected in children less than 5 years of age with gastroenteritis treated at 3 pediatric hospitals in Zimbabwe during 2008-2011.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In anticipation of rotavirus vaccine introduction, the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health initiated rotavirus surveillance in 2008 to describe the rotavirus epidemiological trends and circulating genotypes among children <5 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Active hospital-based surveillance for diarrhea was conducted at 3 sentinel sites from January 2008 to December 2011. Children aged <5 years, who presented with acute gastroenteritis as a primary illness and who were admitted to a hospital ward or treated at the emergency unit, were enrolled in the surveillance program and had a stool specimen collected and tested for rotavirus by enzyme immunoassay. Genotyping of a sample of positive specimens was performed using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 3728 faecal samples were collected and tested during the 4 year surveillance period and 1804 (48.5%) tested rotavirus positive. The highest prevalence of rotavirus diarrhea was found during the dry, cool season. Rotavirus positivity peaked in children 3-17 months of age with almost 80% of cases. Compared with rotavirus-negative cases, rotavirus-positive cases were more likely to be dehydrated (26% vs. 14%, P ≤ 0.001) and have vomiting (77% vs. 57%, P ≤ 0.001) and less likely to have fever (17% vs. 24%, P = 0.03). G9P[8] (43.3%), G1P[8] (11.8%), G2P[4] (8.7%), G2P[6] (8.7%) and G12P[6] (8.7%) were the most common genotypes detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rotavirus causes a significant disease burden among children <5 years of age in Zimbabwe. This active surveillance system can serve as a platform to monitor the impact of rotavirus vaccine on disease burden following vaccine introduction.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology Section, University of Zimbabwe; †Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Welfare; ‡WHO country office, Harare, Zimbabwe; §WHO Regional Office for Africa, (WHO/AFRO), Brazzaville, Congo Republic; ¶Medical Research Council/UL Diarrhoeal Pathogens Research Unit and WHO Rotavirus Regional Reference Laboratory for Africa, University of Limpopo Medunsa Campus and National Health Laboratory Service, Pretoria, South Africa; ‖Chitungwiza Central Hospital, Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe; **Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals; and ††Harare Central Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Arnold
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mukaratirwa
authors.forename: Chipo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Berejena
authors.forename: Pasipanodya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nziramasanga
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shonhai
authors.forename: Tafadzwa S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Mamvura
authors.forename: Paradzai
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chibukira
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mucheuki
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mangwanya
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamupota
authors.forename: Portia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manangazira
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tapfumaneyi
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gerede
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Munyoro
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mwenda
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mphahlele
authors.forename: Mapaseka L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Seheri
authors.forename: Ina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Peenze
authors.forename: Archebold N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Gonah
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maruta
authors.forename: Margaret B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Tengende
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology