[Prevalence and molecular characterization of rotaviruses from children with acute diarrhea in Tabriz]

Rotavirus is the common cause of acute diarrhea in infants and young children. Hence it is required to investigate rotavirus infection in diarrheal samples in order to determine the prevalence and predominant genotypes for controlling the misusage of antibiotics and vaccination. To determine the prevalence and predominant genotypes of rotavirus in children under five years of age with acute diarrhea in Tabriz. Rotaviruses were detected by ELISA in stool samples collected during one year [2005-2006] from children under five years old, admitted to Pediatric Center, in Tabriz. Positive samples in standard condition transferred in our laboratory [RCGLD] and RT-PCR were used for genotyping. In total of 213 samples, 113 samples were positive for group A rotavirus. Prevalence of rotavirus infection was 54%. Samples were typed as follows: G1 [21.4%], G2[3.1%], G4[42.9%], G2+G4[5.1%], G1+G4[17.3%] and G1+G2+G4[3.1%]. Genotype G9+G4 was detected in one sample [1%]. P [8] was found in 68.4% of samples, P [4+8] 12.2%, P [4] 12.2%, P [6] 2%. The major finding of our study was that the main cause of infectious gastroenteritis in Tabriz occurs by rotavirus. The most prevalent genotyping were G4 P[8], vaccination may be the best way to control rotavirus