Sequential rotavirus infections: characterization of serotypes and electrophoretypes.

Few studies have characterized the rotaviruses observed in repeated infections in the same patient. Rotavirus serotypes and electrophoretypes were determined from faecal samples of 24 children hospitalized between 1984 and 1989 in a Clermont-Ferrand hospital and who had had repeated rotavirus shedding. The patients were aged between 3 days and 4 years. Fifty infections were recorded. Of the 48 serotypes obtained, 18 were serotype 1 (37.5%), 10 serotype 2 (20.8%) and 20 serotype 4 (41.7%). Serotype 3 was not found. Seven serotype 2 infections were characterized during rehospitalization. Six patients had two subsequent infections with the same serotype.