Serotypes and Electropherotypes of Human Rotavirus in the USA: 1987-1989
Key result
Rotavirus serotype 1 was predominant in the USA from 1987-1989, and PCR amplification successfully typed the 17% of rotavirus-positive specimens that were untypable by standard serologic techniques.
Population
281 representative fecal samples obtained from children with diarrhea in seven locales in the continental USA
Design
Cross-sectional
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
Provides historical US rotavirus baseline; leaves open current strain dynamics and PCR utility in modern surveillance.
Key Points
- To examine the epidemiological patterns, serotypes, and electropherotypes of human rotavirus causing diarrhea in children across consecutive seasons.
- Analyzed N=281 representative fecal specimens from children with diarrhea across seven locales in the continental USA during the 1987–1988 and 1988–1989 seasons.
- Characterized viral strains via electropherotyping, enzyme immunoassay with serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies, and polymerase chain reaction typing.
- Serotype 1 predominated across both seasons (most frequent in the North and East), followed by serotype 3 (most common in the South) and rare detection of serotype 2, whereas serotypes 4, 8, and 9 were not detected.
- Identified five major electropherotypes that each corresponded to a single serotype, with differential gene segment 7–9 migration separating serotype 1 from serotype 3.
- Polymerase chain reaction typing successfully classified 17% of rotavirus-positive specimens that were untypable by serologic immunoassay.
Study Design
Type
Observational (n=281)
Multicenter
Yes
Structured PICO
P
Population
281 representative fecal samples obtained from children with diarrhea in seven locales in the continental USA
I
Intervention
Electropherotyping and serotyping by enzyme immunoassay with serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) typing
O
Outcome
Distribution of rotavirus serotypes and electropherotypes
Serotype 1 was the predominant rotavirus strain in the USA from 1987-1989, and PCR typing proved highly valuable for identifying strains that were untypable by standard serologic methods.
Cite This Study
Gouvêa et al. (1990) conducted an observational in Rotavirus gastroenteritis (n=281). Electropherotyping and serotyping (EIA and PCR) was evaluated on Serotype and electropherotype distribution. Rotavirus serotype 1 was predominant in the USA from 1987-1989, and PCR amplification successfully typed the 17% of rotavirus-positive specimens that were untypable by standard serologic techniques.