ABSTRACT
To detect and evaluate the role of the newly recognized human coronavirus [HCoV]-NL63 and HCoV-HKUl as aetiologic agents of acute respiratory tract infections in hospitalized Jordanian children younger than 5 years of age. Between December 2003 and May 2004, a total of 326 nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from Jordanian children hospitalized with acute respiratory tract infections. Total DNA and RNA were extracted using Qiagen commercial kits. HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKUl were detected by random reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using random hexamer primer for the reverse transcription step, and specific primers that target the replicase and polymerase genes to produce 215-bp and 392-bp amplicons respectively. Other potential respiratory pathogens w7ere detected according to previously published protocols. HCoV-NL63 was detected in 4 [1.2%] out of 325 examined nasopharyngeal aspirates. HCoV-NL63 was detected in two children with severe, and in two with mild to moderate acute respiratory tract infections. HCoV-NL63 was the only pathogen detected in three patients, and mixed with adenovirus in one patient. HCoV-HKUl was not detected in the 325 nasopharyngeal aspirates examined. HCoV-NL63 is a significant causative agent of acute respiratory tract infections in hospitalized Jordanian children. HCoV-NL-63 can cause the respiratory disease either alone or in combination with other potential respiratory pathogens. Further studies are required to further characterize the clinical and epidemiological features of these newly recognized HCoVs in Jordan
ABSTRACT
To assess the circulating rotavirus strains among hospitalized children and adults in Gizan City.This cross-sectional study was based in 5 hospitals in the Gizan area. Stool samples were collected between November 2004 and March 2005, from sequential patients with acute, dehydrating diarrhea. Rotavirus antigen was detected in stool by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The diversity of rotavirus strains was investigated using electropherotying and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction amplification of the VP7 and VP4 genes [G and P genotyping]. Rotavirus was detected in 54 of 454 [12%] subjects. The ages of those infected with rotavirus ranged from 15 days to 20 years, with a median age of 36 months. The highest rotavirus detection rate [24%] occurred in children aged 48-59 months. Overall, 50 [93%] of strains could be assigned both a G- and P-type; G1P[8] was the most frequently detected strain type [n=48, 89%] with one rotavirus each of G2P[4] and G9P[8]. Rotavirus strains circulating in Gizan would be well covered by current rotavirus vaccines. Rotavirus serotype G9 has been detected in Saudi Arabia for the first time. Continued surveillance of rotavirus strains is required