Molecular epidemioloic characteristics of rotavirus diarrhea in Suzhou

Objective To characterize the molecular epidemiology of rotavirus infection and the distribution of G and P serotype of rotavirus in Suzhou.Methods 721 stool samples, collected from children less than five years of age hospitalized between September 2001 to August 2003, were tested for rotavirus antigen by ELISA and G,P serotyping by MabsELISA and/or RT-PCR. Results 345(47.85%) rotavirus-positive samples were detected in 721 fecal specimens during the two years. A peak age distribution of rotavirus diarrhea was 7 to 18 months old(239/345,69.28%).Rotavirus infection peaked in winter months (between October and January of next year). Serotype G3 represented 60.49% of the G-typed samples predominating in all strains. Serotype G1 was the next most common, representing 22.49% of G-typed samples.Serotype G9 was uncommon, representing 0.9% of G-typed sample. Among 80 strains performed with P serotypes, 29 strains were P, 11 strains P, 8 strains mixed with Pand P. PG3,P G3 and PG1 were the most common combined serotypes(36.25%).PG1 and PG2 strains only had 8.20%.Rare combined serotype PG9(0.60%)was identified. Conclusion In Suzhou , rotavirus serotype G3 was prevalent strains between September 2001 to August 2003,which was different from the predominant G1 in the other regions of China.