Abstract:
Introduction: approximately over 80% of
mortalities due to rotavirus occur in countries that
have limited resources, especially in sub-Saharan
Africa and South Asia. The study was intended to
determine the genetic characteristics of rotavirus A
in children exhibiting gastroenteritis at Kericho
County Referral Hospital. Methods: the study
design was cross-sectional. Consecutive sampling
was engaged obtaining a sample size of 200 stool
samples. Genetic characterization of group A
rotavirus strains was done using Enzyme-Linked
Immunosorbent Assay. Positive samples
underwent Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Afterwards viewing of the RNA
double strands of the rotavirus genome in gels was
done using Silver Nitrate. The positive samples
underwent RT-PCR amplification followed by
sequencing on the pieces of the VP7 or VP4 gene
obtained. Results: one hundred and six (53%)
samples from males and 94 (47%) from females.
Twenty-three samples were positive hence a
prevalence of 11.5%. The most affected
demographics were children of guardians with
secondary school education (51%). The most
affected social economic status was
housewives (46.5%). The most affected age was
21-30 months at 26.5%. Long electropherotypes
were in 22 samples (96%). The G3 genotype of
rotavirus A was prevalent 16/23 (69.57%).
Conclusion: rotavirus prevalence was 11.5%. The
G3 genotype was the most prevalent in circulation.
The occurrence of non-typable strains indicated
that the strains may be diversified emphasizing the
need to include emerging strains within the
vaccines in use. Hence the need to continuously
monitor the effects in older children.
