Epidemiological study of the G serotype distribution of group a rotaviruses in Kenya from 1991 to 1994

An epidemiological study on the G serotype distribution of group A rotaviru ses (GARV) isolated in Kenya was carried out in one urban hospital in Nairo bi and in two rural hospitals in Nanyuki and Kitui to clarify the prevalent G serotypes before future introduction of the ready licensed rotavirus vac cine in Kenya. A total of 1,431 stool specimens were collected from childre n, who were mainly outpatients, aged from 0 to 6 yea rs old with acute gast roenteritis from August 1991 to July 1994. Samples positive for GARV by con ventional ELISA were then analyzed by subgrouping and serotyping ELISA and by PAGE. To ascertain the G serotypes of viruses in samples that were unabl e to be typed by serotyping ELISA, polymerase chain reaction was also attem pted. The prevalence of GARV was 28.4% in the urban hospital, 22.5% in Nany uki, and 13.7% in Kitui. Among rotavirus-positive samples, subgroup II rota viruses were detected in 63.1%, and subgroup I rotaviruses were 25.9%. Sero type G4 was most prevalent, accounting for 41.6% followed by 23.3% of serot ype G1, 17.0% of serotype G2, and serotype G3 was rarely isolated. Seven st rains of serotype G8/P1B rotavirus was detected for the first time in Kenya by RT-PCR. Eleven specimens with an unusual composition of subgroup, serot ype, and electropherotype were atypical GARV in which the P-serotype was P1 A, P1B, or P2. Although uncommon GARV serotype G8/P1B and atypical GARV wer e detected, the four major GARV serotypes, G1 through G4, should be targete d at this moment for vaccination to control this diarrheal disease in Kenya , Continuous monitoring of the G- and P-serotype distribution of GARV shoul d provide important information about the impact of rotavirus vaccination i n Kenya. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.