[Electrophoretypes of the genome of rotaviruses isolated from Senegalese children].

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis allowing study of rotavirus genome was applied to 213 faecal specimens from children with acute gastroenteritis living in Dakar area, Senegal. We were able to define an electrophoretype in 41 cases (19.2%). Five different RNA electrophoretypes were shown. The electrophoretype 4 was the most frequent (41.4%). "Long" and "short" electrophoretic migration patterns were found in 36 and 5 cases, respectively. We found 34.1% of electrophoretypes in children aged from 6 to 11 months. The electrophoretypes 1, 3, 4 and 5 have co-circulated throughout the study period (March 1985 to August 1986). No mixed infections were found. Large surveys of this type would allow to evaluate the general situation in Senegal in urban areas as well as in rural areas.