ABSTRACT
Rotavirus is the major etiologic agent of severe diarrhea in children world wide. To study the incidence of rotavirus genotypes circulating in Egypt, one hundred fecal specimens were collected from hospitalized children's with acute diarrhea during Feb.2009 to Jan.2010. Using semi nested multiplex RT-PCR for both 0 and P typing. Rotavirus prevalence was 19% [19/100]. Seasonal distribution of rotavirus was 32% [8/25], 28% [7/25], 12% [3/25], and 4% [1/25] in winter, summer, autumn and spring, respectively. G I-genotype was the most predominant and frequent in all samples, followed by G4 and [19. This study revealed that P-genotypes were rare [5/100]. The detected P-genotypes were restricted to p[l I], p[4], and p[8J. A total of 881bp PCR fragments were sequenced and compared to sequences derived from the corresponding rotavirus genome deposited in GenBank. Phylogenetic tree of Rotavirus segment 9 isolated confirmed that the isolated virus sequencing was most closely related to the previously published sequences from different localities all over the world especially that isolated from Russia, South Africa and, Italy with 97-99% homology. A marked seasonal occurrence of rotavirus, during summer and winter season. G1-genotype was the most predominant and frequent in all samples while P-genotypes were restricted to P[l1], P[8]and P[4]