Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Department of Microbiology and Medical Laboratory Technology, COMWAVE Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan.
BMC Infect Dis. 2021 May 6;21(1):426. doi: 10.1186/s12879-021-06123-6.
Rotavirus A (RVA) is a significant cause of severe diarrheal illness and one of the common causes of death in children under the age of five. This study was aimed at detecting the prevalence of RVA in Pakistan after rotavirus vaccines were introduced. Fecal samples were obtained from 813 children from different hospitals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, from January 2018 to December 2018. To obtain additional information from the parents / guardians of the children, a standard questionnaire was used.
Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (ELISA), rotavirus antigen was detected and ELISA positive samples were subjected to reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). The findings showed 22% prevalence of RVA in children with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) via ELISA and 21% prevalence via RT-PCR in children with AGE. There was no statistically significant difference between gender, age and RVA infections. The winter, spring and fall/autumn seasons were statistically significant for RVA prevalence.
The present study will provide post vaccine prevalence data for the health policy makers. The implementation of rotavirus vaccines, along with adequate nutrition for babies, clean water supply and maternal hygienic activities during infant feeding, is recommended. Furthermore, continuous surveillance is mandatory in the whole country to calculate the disease burden caused by RVA.
轮状病毒 A（RVA）是导致严重腹泻病的重要原因之一，也是 5 岁以下儿童死亡的常见原因之一。本研究旨在研究轮状病毒疫苗问世后在巴基斯坦的 RVA 流行情况。2018 年 1 月至 12 月，从巴基斯坦拉瓦尔品第和伊斯兰堡的不同医院采集了 813 名儿童的粪便样本。为了从儿童的父母/监护人那里获得更多信息，使用了标准问卷。
通过酶联免疫吸附测定试剂盒（ELISA）检测到轮状病毒抗原，ELISA 阳性样本进行逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）检测。结果显示，ELISA 检测到急性胃肠炎（AGE）患儿的 RVA 患病率为 22%，RT-PCR 检测到 AGE 患儿的 RVA 患病率为 21%。性别、年龄和 RVA 感染之间无统计学差异。轮状病毒流行与季节有关，冬季、春季和秋季/冬季具有统计学意义。
本研究将为卫生政策制定者提供疫苗接种后 RVA 的流行数据。建议在全国范围内实施轮状病毒疫苗接种，并为婴儿提供充足的营养、清洁的水供应和母乳喂养期间的母亲卫生活动。此外，还需要进行持续监测，以计算 RVA 引起的疾病负担。
