Prevalence and Identification of Rotaviruses in Stool Specimens of Patients with Acute Diarrhea from Several Regions of Korea

ABSTRACT

PURPOSES: Rotaviruses are the main cause of infantile diarrheal diseases worldwide. The purpose of this study is to obtain epidemiologic data of rotavirus infections in Korea. METHODS: Stool specimens were collected from 150 patients with acute diarrheal symptoms, who were admitted to Yonsei Medical Center and Chungbuk National University Hospital. After isolating the virus from the specimens, the viruses were identified as rotaviruses by electron microscope and fluorescent microscope after staining with rotavirus VP6-specific monoclonal antibody. RNA was extracted from the specimens by modified phenol/chloroform method. Electropherotying was done with extracted RNA samples after silver staining of the gels. Rotavirus serotyping was done using commercial serotyping ELISA kit. RESULTS: Rate of infection from rotavirus stool samples was 60%. Isolated rotaviruses were all serogroup A and a majority(46.0%) of these viruses were long type. Serotypes 1 and 2 were identified with serotype 1 being the majority(52.2%). There were no differences in these types between 1991 and 1992, and also between Seoul and Cheongju area. CONCLUSION: Electropherotype of rotavirus epidemic in Korea was serogroup A, and long type in the majority. Serotypes of rotavirus epidemic in Korea were type 1 and type 2. These results show that the rotavirus reassortant vaccine developed in America could also handle the rotaviral disease in Korea.