Distinct yearly change of serotype distribution of human rotavirus in Thailand as determined by ELISA and PCR

Abstract

Summary A total of 241 group A rotavirus-positive stool samples collected from diarrhoeic patients in Thailand between July 1988 and June 1991 were characterized for their serotypes by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies and by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In July 1988–June 1989, serotype 1 was the most prevalent (63·4%), followed by serotype 4 (11·0%) and serotype 2 (8·5%). In July 1989–June 1990, 59·8% were serotype 1, 24·3% were serotype 2, and 6·1 % were serotype 3. In contrast, in July 1990–June 1991, serotype 3 was detected in the highest frequency (40·5%), 29·9% were serotype 1, and 27·3% were serotype 2. Thus, a distinct yearly change of serotype distribution of rotavirus in Thailand was observed in the three consecutive years. In particular, it was of note that the prevalence of serotype 3 greatly increased, in contrast to the previous studies in which almost no serotype 3 rotaviruses were detected in the years 1983–8 in Thailand.