Epidemiology and Molecular Identification of Rotavirus Strains Associated With Gastroenteritis in Children in Niger State

The study was conducted to determine the genetic diversity of the rotaviruses associated with gastroenteritis in children in Niger State. A total of 150 stool samples were collected from diarrheic children (0 – 5 yrs) in four hospitals (Minna, Bida, Suleja and Kontagora ) in Niger State. The stool samples were screened for rotavirus, using Enzyme linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Eight stool samples were positive (5.33%). The prevalence of the disease according to sex of the children was as follows; male (4%) and female (1.33%). The prevalence of gastroenteritis according to water source was distributed as follows; pipe borne (2%), bore hole (1.33%), and river/stream (2%). The prevalence of rotavirus gastroenteritis among children according to the breast feeding was as follows; exclusively breastfed children had (2%) and those breastfed only recorded (3.33%). Molecular identification of the virus revealed the presence of the following genotypes: P6 (22%), G1 (22%), G2 (33%), and G8 (22%) in the study area. Keywords: Molecular characteristics, rotavirus strains, gastroenteritis, children, prevalence, genotypes Nigerian Journal of Technological Research , 8(2), 2013