November 23, 1978Open Access
View Full PaperEpidemiology of Human Rotavirus Types 1 and 2 as Studied by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Key Result
Among 414 rotavirus isolates from children with acute gastroenteritis, 77% were Type 2 and the remainder were Type 1, with sequential infections usually involving different serotypes.
Study Design
Type
Observational (n=414)
Multicenter
Yes
Structured PICO
P
Population
414 rotavirus isolates from children with acute gastroenteritis in Washington, D.C., and other parts of the world.
E
Exposure
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to differentiate serotype-specific rotavirus antigen and antibody
O
Outcome
Serotype distribution (Type 1 vs Type 2) and sero-epidemiology of rotavirus
Sequential rotavirus infections usually involve different serotypes, suggesting that an effective vaccine must provide resistance to both Type 1 and Type 2.
Main Result
Absolute Event Rate: 77% vs 23%
Abstract
To determine the relative importance of two known serotypes of human rotavirus, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to differentiate serotype-specific rotavirus antigen and antibody. Using this technic, we studied the epidemiology of the two serotypes in acute gastroenteritis. Seventy-seven per cent of 414 rotavirus isolates were Type 2, and the remainder were Type 1. The serotype distribution was similar in specimens from children in Washington, D.C., and other parts of the world. Sero-epidemiologic studies revealed that most children living in the Washington, D.C., area acquired antibody to both types by the age of two years. An analysis of children who were reinfected indicated that sequential infections usually involved different serotypes and that illness caused by one serotype did not provide resistance to illness caused by the other serotype. These results suggest that, to be completely effective, a vaccine must provide resistance to both serotypes.