Differences in clinical and laboratory parameters according to prior rotavirus vaccination status in children hospitalized for viral gastroenteritis

OBJECTIVES: Rotavirus vaccination is effective in preventing acute gastroenteritis (AGE), but evidence regarding its potential non-specific effects remains elusive. We examined the associations of prior rotavirus vaccination with clinical and laboratory parameters in children with viral AGE, exploring potential non-specific effects of rotavirus vaccination. METHODS: A single-center study was conducted in Israel, including 494 children aged 2-23 months hospitalized during 2011-2015. Demographics and clinical and laboratory data were obtained via parental interviews and from medical records, and rotavirus vaccination status (pentavalent vaccine) was determined via the national immunization registry. RESULTS: Overall, 8.7% of the participants were unvaccinated for rotavirus, 29.8% were partially vaccinated, and 61.5% were fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated participants had significantly higher hemoglobin (beta coefficient 0.58, 95% confidence interval 0.18-0.98), hematocrit (1.89, 0.77-3.03), and lymphocyte (1.51, 0.63-2.39) levels, but a lower neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio than unvaccinated participants. The likelihood of having a urine culture performed was lower among the fully vaccinated participants (odds ratio = 0.21, 0.07-0.61). Complete-series vaccination was inversely related to rotavirus detection (odds ratio = 0.17, 0.05-0.57). CONCLUSIONS: Rotavirus vaccination correlates with better nutritional status and lower inflammation in patients with AGE, suggesting additional beneficial effects of the vaccine and highlighting the need to increase vaccination coverage.