Rotavirus Disease Burden and Molecular Epidemiology in Children with Acute Diarrhoea Age Less than 5 Years in Nepal.

Introduction: Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. The aim of the study was to determine rotavirus disease burden and distribution of rotavirus genotypes in children less than five years of age. Methodology: Stool samples were collected from 1768 hospital admitted children under 5 years of age with acute watery diarrhea during November 2005 to October 2008. Rotavirus in stool samples was detected by Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA) and positive specimens for rotavirus positive was genotyped by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) and sequencing methods. Results: The prevalence of rotavirus was 36.59% (647/1768). Detection was higher in male (33.3%) than female (26.9%). The prevalence was higher during the month of January (2005-06) and February in other periods. During 2005-06, high prevalence of rotavirus was noted in children of age between 6-11 months while in 2006-07 and 2007-08 high prevalence was seen in age group 12-23 months. The most common genotyping of rotavirus identified 5 G types and 3 P types. Genotypes G12 and P [8] were most common during both periods studied (G12; 50%, 29% 33.7% in 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively and P[8]; 47%, 35% and 43.5% in 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively). Among six combined genotypes, G12P [6] was most prevalent (34%, 24% and 47.5% in 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively) where as G1P [6] (4%) was seen in year 2007- 08 only. Conclusions: The study demonstrates the burden of rotavirus diarrhea in Nepal. The data on rotavirus genotypes will help inform decisions as to whether rotavirus vaccine should be considered for inclusion in to Nepal’s National Immunization Program.

Infection of Cyclospora cayetanensis in Diarrhoeal Children of Nepal.

Introduction: Cyclospora cayetanensis is a coccidian parasite that causes recurrent gastroenteritis among children living under poor sanitary condition and adults from industrialized countries who lived or traveled in endemic developing countries. Methods: A total of 1842 stool specimens from gastroenteritis patients were examined between March 2006 to February 2007 and collected various types of faecal specimens from human, animals and samples of water and green leafy vegetables. Results: Of 1842 stool specimens collected from different areas of Nepal, 146 (7.9 %) were found to be positive for Cyclospora cayetanensis. with the majority were from children 2-9 years of age. The highest rate of infections was found in the month of June; (31.6%). Cyclospora cayetanensis were found to be contaminated in green vegetables including leaves of basil, mint leaves, water sources and feces of domestic animals and these findings were presented in the paper. Conclusion: Cyclospora-like oocysts were detected in vegetables leaves, feces of domestic animals and water sources. The results suggest that water, vegetables and domestic animals are possible sources of infection in Nepal. The study also obtained more information on Cyclospora cayetanensis a coccidian parasite that infect humans especially children and causes prolonged diarrhea and life threatening infestation.