Detection and molecular characterisation of rotavirus and norovirus infections in Jordanian children with acute gastroenteritis.

Rotavirus and norovirus are globally important causes of paediatric gastroenteritis, but no studies of viral genotypes have been reported from Jordan. We undertook a molecular epidemiological study in children hospitalised with acute gastroenteritis in Jordan between January 2006 and December 2007. Among 368 children, rotavirus and norovirus infections were detected in 49.5% and 11.4% of children, respectively. Rotavirus genotypes P[8],G1 (56%), P[4],G2 (14%) and P[8],G9 (13%) were most commonly identified, consistent with results of global rotavirus surveillance studies. Norovirus GII.3 was the most commonly detected genotype, followed by GII.4, contrasting with most studies in which GII.4 has predominated.