Molecular epidemiology of human rotaviruses. Analysis of outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in Glasgow and the west of Scotland 1981/82 and 1982/83

SUMMARYThe molecular epidemiology of rotavirus infections in Glasgow and the west of Scotland during 1981/82 and 1982/83 was investigated by electron microscopy, ELISA testing and RNA migration pattern analysis. In 1981/82, rotaviruses of both the ‘long’ and the ‘short’ electropherotype (in different variants) co-circulated from the onset throughout the winter peak of the outbreak. Approximately 80 % of the children were infected during the first year of life. No differences in incidence were found between sexes. In 1982/83 the isolated rotaviruses were almost exclusively of the ‘long’ electropherotype (in different variants) and 36% of the children were infected beyond the first year of life. Rotaviruses of the ‘long’ electropherotype serologically were of subgroup II and serotype 1 and those of the ‘short’ electropherotype of subgroup I and serotype 2.