Abstract
Background: The first European rotavirus surveillance network, EuroRotaNet, comprising 16 laboratories in 15 European countries, has been established.
Methods: Fecal samples from gastroenteritis cases positive for group A rotavirus antigen were collected from multiple European countries from 2005 to mid-2008 and were subjected to G and P genotyping. Epidemiological data collected included age, sex, geographical location, setting, dates of onset and sample collection, and clinical symptoms.
Results: A total of 8879 rotavirus-positive samples were characterized: 2129 cases were from the 2005–2006 season, 4030 from the 2006–2007 season, and 2720 from the ongoing 2007–2008 season. A total of 30 different G and P type combinations of strains circulated in the region from 2005 through 2008. Of these strains, 90% had genotypes commonly associated with human infections—G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], G4P[8], and G9P[8]—and 1.37% represented potential zoonotic introductions. G1P[8] remained the most prevalent genotype in Europe as a whole, but the incidence of infection with G1P[8] rotavirus strains was <50% overall, and all 3 seasons were characterized by a significant diversity of cocirculating strains. The peak incidence of rotavirus infection occurred from January through May, and 81% of case patients were aged <2.5 years.
Conclusions: Data gathered through EuroRotaNet will provide valuable background information on the rotavirus strain diversity in Europe before the introduction of rotavirus vaccines, and the network will provide a robust method for surveillance during vaccine implementation.
Methods: Fecal samples from gastroenteritis cases positive for group A rotavirus antigen were collected from multiple European countries from 2005 to mid-2008 and were subjected to G and P genotyping. Epidemiological data collected included age, sex, geographical location, setting, dates of onset and sample collection, and clinical symptoms.
Results: A total of 8879 rotavirus-positive samples were characterized: 2129 cases were from the 2005–2006 season, 4030 from the 2006–2007 season, and 2720 from the ongoing 2007–2008 season. A total of 30 different G and P type combinations of strains circulated in the region from 2005 through 2008. Of these strains, 90% had genotypes commonly associated with human infections—G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], G4P[8], and G9P[8]—and 1.37% represented potential zoonotic introductions. G1P[8] remained the most prevalent genotype in Europe as a whole, but the incidence of infection with G1P[8] rotavirus strains was <50% overall, and all 3 seasons were characterized by a significant diversity of cocirculating strains. The peak incidence of rotavirus infection occurred from January through May, and 81% of case patients were aged <2.5 years.
Conclusions: Data gathered through EuroRotaNet will provide valuable background information on the rotavirus strain diversity in Europe before the introduction of rotavirus vaccines, and the network will provide a robust method for surveillance during vaccine implementation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | S215-221 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Journal of Infectious Diseases |
| Volume | 200 |
| Issue number | Suppl 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2009 |