ABSTRACT
Rotaviruses are a major cause of gastroenteritis in children worldwide. This study was carried out to determine the incidence of rotavirus infection among children and the genotypes circulating in Greater Cairo. During May 2006 to April 2008 one hundred and sixty eight wastewater samples and five hundreds and sixty seven stool specimens from children with acute diarrhea were examined using RT-PCR and multiplex nested PCR for genotyping. Prevalence of rotavirus reached 162/567 [28.6%] and 10/48 [20.8%] in fecal specimens and raw wastewater samples, respectively. A marked occurrence of rotaviruses appeared during autumn and winter [from Sept. to Feb.]. In stool samples, the G-P type combination were G1P[4] 14.8%, G1P[6] 9.9%, G3P[4/ ] 9.9% and G3P[6] 8, 6%, while in wastewater samples G1P[4] 20.6%, and G3P[4] 5.9% were only detected. The efficiency of Zenin wastewater treatment plant [WWTP] to remove infectious rotavirus was higher than El Gabal El Asfar [WWTP] as the former uses a final chlorination step. The time needed for complete removal of the rotavirus infectious units and its genome was 15 and 30 mm, respectively when exposed to UV Lamp[Vilber-Lour mat T-15c] 9W and a virus concentration of 2x 106 CC-RT-PCR units/ml, The chlorine dose 15 mg for 30 mm is sufficient to remove the infectious units of rotavirus at 2x106 CC-RT-PCR units /ml, while the same dose for 45 mm is needed for complete removal of the rotavirus genome. The antiviral activity of a pigenin 7-o-glucoside [extracted from Chrysanthemum coronarium] against rotavirus was 60%