Rotavirus Prevalence and Genotypes in Manipur, India: A Hospital-Based Surveillance Study

Rotavirus infections are a significant public health concern worldwide, particularly in developing countries where access to sanitation and healthcare is limited. A recent study conducted in Manipur, India, aimed to investigate the prevalence and genotypes of group A rotavirus infections in children from 2015 to 2019. The research, conducted by investigators from Tezpur University, revealed that rotavirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and children, with a positivity rate of 69.25% in the study population.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that the most common genotype of rotavirus in the region is G3 (43%), followed by G1 (16%), G2 (8%), and G9 (5%).
• The prevalence of rotavirus disease was found to be high in winter months, with 69.25% of cases observed during this period.
• The study detected 22 different rotavirus strains at varying frequencies, including globally distributed G3P[8] and G1P[8] strains.
• The common rotavirus strains observed in the region include G3P[8], G1P[8], G2P[4], G9P[4], G1P[4], G1P[6], and G9P[6].
• A high percentage of unusual strains, including G9P[4], G1P[11], G2P[11], G3P[10], and G3P[11], were also detected.

Statistics:

• 69.25% of rotavirus cases were detected in the study population.
• 43% of rotavirus strains detected were of genotype G3.
• 56% of rotavirus P-types were non-typeable, suggesting point mutations in the primer-binding region of the VP4 gene.
• 22 different rotavirus strains were detected at varying frequencies.

Sources:

• Genetic diversity and prevalence of group A rotavirus infection in children of Imphal, Manipur, India: A hospital-based surveillance study conducted during December 2015 to March 2019. Vaccine: X, 2025,23():100614.
• Vaccine: X is published by Elsevier.
• A free version of this journal article is available at https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.jvacx.2025.100614.