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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | S215-S221 |
Journal | Journal of Infectious Diseases |
Volume | 200 |
Issue number | SUPPL. 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 2009 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Supplement sponsorship: This article was published as part of a supplement entitled “Global Rotavirus Surveillance: Preparing for the Introduction of Rotavirus Vaccines,” which was prepared as a project of the Rotavirus Vaccine Program, a partnership between PATH, the World Health Organization, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and was funded in full or in part by the GAVI Alliance.
Funding Information:
Financial support: The activities of EuroRotaNet are funded by the collaborating institutes and an unrestricted educational grant jointly from GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals and Sanofi Pasteur MSD. The grant is administered through the Centre for Infections, Health Protection Agency, London, United Kingdom; the World Health Organization; and the Rotavirus Vaccine Program, and representatives of the funding bodies and representatives of the study participants are represented on the EuroRotaNet steering committee.