Background. Rotavirus (RV) is the major cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in infants worldwide. The ISS and the Ministry of Health have implemented a nationwide laboratory based surveillance of infantile AGE in Italy, to gather information on the diversity of RV strains circulating prior to the introduction of large-scale vaccination. RotaNetItaly is part of the EuroRotaNet network including 17 European diagnostic laboratories. Methods. From January 2007 through November 2009, approximately 2400 rotaviruses were collected from children less than 5 year-old with severe gastroenteritis in 11 Regions. Epidemiological and patients' data were entered into a database for linkage to the genotyping data. After viral RNA extraction, G and P genotypes were determined by reverse transcription-nested-PCR, with specific G- and P-type primers, using a multiplex format. Results. The study identified the following G&P combinations: G1P[8] as the most widespread (approximately 44% of cases), followed by genotype G9P[8] (18%) and typical genotypes G2P[4], G4P[8] and G3P[8], with a prevalence of approximately 7, 7, and 3%, respectively. Approximately 4% of novel or unusual strains, such as G1P[4], G10P[8], G9P[4] and G2P[8] were also detected. A relevant proportion (12%) of mixed infections with two or more rotavirus strains were observed. Less than 5% of rotavirus genotypes remained untypable. Conclusions. Data obtained confirm the genetic diversity of rotaviruses strains circulating in Italy, and the presence of different, although mostly conventional, predominant genotypes between Regions. Rotavirus surveillance is important to control the possible emergence of novel strains and to confirm the appropriateness of the available vaccines.
Molecular epidemiology of rotavirus in Italy, 2007-2009. Second report of the Italian RotaNet Surveillance Program / Ruggeri, Fm; Petouchoff, T; Delogu, R; Fiore, L; Tcheremenskaia, O; De Petris, S; Pompa, Mg; Napoletano, G; Zanella, F; Russo, F; Medici, Mc; Chezzi, C; Tanzi, Ml; Raglio, A; Goglio, A; Zotti, C; Mignacca, A; Martella, V; Chironna, M; Santantonio, M; Comodo, N; Lorini, C; Festini, F; Iorio, A; Giammanco, Gm; De Grazia, S; D'Errico, Marcello Mario; Marigliano, A; Menichelli, D; Russo, C; Danzi, G; De Rosa, M; Mammì, Pd; Ansaldi, F.. - STAMPA. - (2010), pp. 94-94. (Intervento presentato al convegno Fourth European Congress in Virology tenutosi a Cernobbio nel 7-11 aprile).
Molecular epidemiology of rotavirus in Italy, 2007-2009. Second report of the Italian RotaNet Surveillance Program
D'ERRICO, Marcello Mario;
2010-01-01
Abstract
Background. Rotavirus (RV) is the major cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in infants worldwide. The ISS and the Ministry of Health have implemented a nationwide laboratory based surveillance of infantile AGE in Italy, to gather information on the diversity of RV strains circulating prior to the introduction of large-scale vaccination. RotaNetItaly is part of the EuroRotaNet network including 17 European diagnostic laboratories. Methods. From January 2007 through November 2009, approximately 2400 rotaviruses were collected from children less than 5 year-old with severe gastroenteritis in 11 Regions. Epidemiological and patients' data were entered into a database for linkage to the genotyping data. After viral RNA extraction, G and P genotypes were determined by reverse transcription-nested-PCR, with specific G- and P-type primers, using a multiplex format. Results. The study identified the following G&P combinations: G1P[8] as the most widespread (approximately 44% of cases), followed by genotype G9P[8] (18%) and typical genotypes G2P[4], G4P[8] and G3P[8], with a prevalence of approximately 7, 7, and 3%, respectively. Approximately 4% of novel or unusual strains, such as G1P[4], G10P[8], G9P[4] and G2P[8] were also detected. A relevant proportion (12%) of mixed infections with two or more rotavirus strains were observed. Less than 5% of rotavirus genotypes remained untypable. Conclusions. Data obtained confirm the genetic diversity of rotaviruses strains circulating in Italy, and the presence of different, although mostly conventional, predominant genotypes between Regions. Rotavirus surveillance is important to control the possible emergence of novel strains and to confirm the appropriateness of the available vaccines.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
