title: Australian Rotavirus Surveillance Program annual report, 2015.
abstract: The Australian Rotavirus Surveillance Program, together with collaborating laboratories Australia-wide, reports the rotavirus genotypes responsible for the hospitalisation of children with acute gastroenteritis during the period 1 January to 31 December 2015. During the survey period, 1,383 faecal samples were referred for rotavirus G and P genotype analysis, and of these, 1,031 were confirmed as rotavirus positive. A total of 634 specimens had been collected from children under 5 years of age, while 397 were from older children and adults. Genotype analysis of samples from both children and adults revealed that G12P[8] was the dominant genotype in this reporting period, identified in 48.2% of strains nationally. Genotype G3P[8] was the second most common strain nationally, representing 22.8% of samples, followed by G2P[4] and G1P[8] (9% and 8% respectively). G3P[8] was further divided as equine-like G3P[8] (13.2% of all strains) and other wild-type G3P[8] (9.6%). This report highlights the continued predominance of G12P[8] strains as the major cause of disease in this population. Genotype distribution was distinct between jurisdictions using RotaTeq and Rotarix vaccines. Genotype G12P[8] was more common in states using RotaTeq, while equine-like G3P[8] and G2P[4] were more common in the states and territories using Rotarix. This survey highlights the dynamic change in rotavirus genotypes observed since vaccine introduction, including the emergence of a novel equine-like G3P[8] as a major strain. The prolonged dominance of G12P[8] for a 4th consecutive year further illustrates the unexpected trends in the wild type rotaviruses circulating in the Australian population since vaccine introduction.
authors.affiliation: Research Assistant, Enteric Virus Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria.
authors.forename: Susie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roczo-Farkas
authors.affiliation: Senior Program Officer, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, USA.
authors.forename: Carl D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Kirkwood
authors.affiliation: Group Leader , Enteric Virus Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria.|Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria.|Department of Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition, Royal Childrens Hospital, Parkville, Victoria.
authors.forename: Julie E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bines
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000847:Annual Reports as Topic; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D005838:Genotype; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000235:genetics*; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000266:history / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines