[Molecular epidemiology of human rotavirus in Cumaná, Venezuela].

During the period January to December 1987, rotaviruses were obtained from infants hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Cumaná, Venezuela, and were compared by analysis of the migration of their double-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) genome segments in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Rotavirus RNA was detected in 87 (17.03%) of 511 faecal samples, and at least 12 different electropherotypes were recognized throughout the period of study. Of the rotavirus positive samples, 86 (98.85%) had a "long" electrophoretic pattern characteristic of human rotavirus subgroup 2. The incidence of rotavirus infection was statistically related with the age, sex, and nutritional status of the pediatric patients for epidemiological purposes. This statistical relation was very significant with the age and the nutritional status of the patients but not with their sex.