Rotavirus serotypes and electrophoretypes among children attending three paediatric hospitals in Belém, Brazil

Abstract

From March to September1 988 stools pecimens of 101h os pitalized d iarrhoeici nfants and children, aged 1-24 months were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA} for the presence of rotavirus antigen. This agent was found in 40 (40 per cent) of the 101 episodes of acute diarrhoea, and strains were both characterized by analysis of RN A in polyacrilamide gel and serotyped by ELISA using serotype-specificm onoclonala ntibodies.T he highestf requencyo f rotavirus positivity was 80 per cent in the 16-18 montha geg roup. Ali 11 (28 per cent) serotypeds trains belongedto serotype3 whereasa bsence ofVp7, the major ou ter capsid glycoprotein, did not allow serotyping in 29 (73 percent) ofthe 40 rotaviruspositive specimens.F our distinct electrophoretypesw ere detecteda nd the predominant OReh ad the IbllbllIgIVa profile, accountingf or 62 per cent of the classifieds trains. U nclearp atternsd id not allow us to determine the electrophoretypeo f six rotavirus strains. The clinical picture in study children was in general of moderate/severe nature.