Detection of Rotavirus in Dirrheal Patients

Abstract

Around 800,000 children die every year from diarrhoea globally. In India alone around 300,000 deaths occur. Viral infection is the leading cause of diarrhoea and even in this category Rotavirus accounts for majority of cases. In India rotavirus associated diarrheal cases accounts for 100,000 deaths and so its detection and monitoring is quite necessary. Rotaviruses are classified into 7 groups (A-G) on the basis of amino acid sequence of their VP6 protein. Another traditional method used for classification of rotaviruses is G/P genotyping – defining the two neutralizing antigens on the outer capsid – VP4 (a protease sensitive protein protruding from the surface and labeled as the P-type) and VP7 (an outer capsid glycoprotein labeled as the G-type). Human rotaviruses constitute a diverse group. Until now, 27 G genotypes (G1–G27) and 35 P genotypes (P[1] – P[35]) have been detected. Most commonly isolated G and P types are G1, G2, G3, G4, G9 and P[4], P[8] respectively. ELISA and RT-PCR are the most common diagnostic techniques and have been used in this study. The specificity of ELISA and sensitivity of RT-PCR have been targeted for detection of rotavirus in fecal samples. Of all analysed samples, 22.9% are rotavirus positive and its dominance in children (under the age group of 5 years) is more as compared to adults. These techniques can be elaborately used for large studies and thus, help in establishing epidemiological data for prevalent rotavirus strains that can further help in developing effective vaccination strategies.