title: The role of rotavirus associated with pediatric gastroenteritis in a general hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bacterial, viral and parasitic agents have been implicated and confirmed as causative agents of gastroenteritis in children with ages below 5 years old. The major role of rotavirus as causative agent is not widely recognized within the public health community, particularly in developing countries. This study examined the role of rotavirus as a causative agent of childhood gastroenteritis in infants and young children below 5 years of age in a General Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parents and caregivers of children admitted to the hospital were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Viral RNA was extracted from the stool samples collected and analyzed using RT-PCR for genotyping and agarose gel electrophoresis for identification of rotavirus electrophoretypes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 71 samples analyzed, 16 (22.5%) were positive for rotavirus. A total of 12 (75%) males and 4 (25%) females were positive for rotavirus gastroenteritis with most cases (7, 43.8%) distributed to the 13-24 months age group, followed closely by the 1-6 months age group, with 6 cases, 37.5%. Rotavirus G2 genotype was the most prevalent strain in the hospital (10 patients, 62.5%) followed by G1 (6 patients, 37.5%). These were the only rotavirus genotypes detected in the hospital.
authors.affiliation: MD, TB/HIV and AIDS Research Group, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Philip Ifesinachi
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Anochie
authors.affiliation: MD, St. Joseph's Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Enyiogugu Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Edwina Chinwe
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Onyeneke
authors.affiliation: MD, Virology Research Laboratory, University of Lagos, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Emmanuel Osaretin
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Asowata
authors.affiliation: MD, Microbiology, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ebelechukwu
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Afocha
authors.affiliation: MD, Madonna University, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Anthony Chidiebere
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Onyeozirila
authors.affiliation: MD, University of Sheffield, Department of Medicine, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Angelina Chinyere
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ogu
authors.affiliation: MD, National Open University of Nigeria, Department of Criminal Law and Ethics, Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Bestman Chukwuemeka
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Onyeneke
keywords: Rotavirus; children; gastroenteritis