Clinical Characteristics and Genotype of Rotavirus Infection in Newborn Infants

Moon, Hye Hyun; Kim, Dong Sub; Park, Sook Hyun; Kim, Hengmi

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to investigate the incidence of rotavirus infection and common rotavirus strains of newborn infants admitted to the NICU and elucidate association, between rotavirus infection and clinical symptoms, and the significance of rotavirus antigen test.
METHODS
From July 2010 to June 2011, stools of 408 newborns admitted into the NICU were tested for rotavirus antigen by enzyme-linked fluorescent assay. Rotavirus positive stools were performed RT-PCR.
RESULTS
A total of 408 stool samples were examined by VIDAS Rotavirus(R), and 128 specimens (31.4%) were proven positive. One hundred thirteen fecal specimens were eligible for RT-PCR and rotavirus was detected in 42 samples (10.3%). PCR (+) prevalence of antigen positive infants was significantly lower in 1-2 postnatal days group than infants older than three days after birth (P<0.001). Out of the 42 PCR positive infants, there were 26 (62%) symptomatic infants. Seventeen infants had fever, 15 had diarrhea, and 3 experienced vomiting. Rest of the 16 patients (38%) did not show any symptoms. The most common strain was G4P[6] (n=40, 95.2%), followed by G4P[8] (n=1, 2.4%), and G3P[3] (n=1, 2.4%).
CONCLUSIONS
Rotavirus infection rate in the NICU was 31.4% in the antigen test and 11.7% in the PCR test. False positive rate of rotavirus antigen test was significantly higher in 1-2 postnatal days group. Thus, it should be considered to apply different RFV standards from adults when rotavirus antigen test result is evaluated in newborn infants. The most common strain of rotavirus was G4P[6].