PREVALENCE OF HUMAN ROTAVIRUS SEROTYPES IN SOME EUROPEAN-COUNTRIES 1981-1988

An extended epidemiological survey on the circulation of the 4 established human rotavirus (HRV) serotypes in some European countries was carreid out on 831 fecal strains collected from infants and young children with acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis during 1981-88. Typing was done by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and/or solid-phase immune electron microscopy using VW type-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. Serotype 1 HRV strains were found to be largely predominant in this period both in Italy and other countries, whereas serotype 4 strains were less common. The number of strains of serotypes 1 and 4 circulating in Europe was equivalent only in 1983-84. Serotype 2 strains were significantly represented only in 1981-84, while strains of serotype 3 were nearly absent, since only 8 strains (2 of which belonged to subgroup I) were found during the entire study period. About 10 % of strains could not be typed, while 9 strains exhibited dual VW reactivity and 6 were non-group A HRVs. These epidemiological findings must be taken into consideration when deciding strategies far preparing vaccines to be used in Europe. © 1990 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.