Update on Epidemiology and Circulating Genotypes of Rotavirus in Iranian Children With Severe Diarrhea: 1986-2015

Rotaviruses are the most common cause of severe diarrhea in children under 5 years of age worldwide with a higher prevalence in developing countries. In accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for the global use of rotavirus vaccines, it is important to review trends of rotavirus epidemiology, distribution and diversity of rotavirus strains in the pre-vaccine period. In Iran, the average rotavirus positivity rate is 40.04% in all patients under 5 years of age hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis (AGE). Studies have shown a substantial increase in the rotavirus detection rate over time from 1986 to 2013. Moreover, there has been continued predominance of G (G1) and P (P[8]) genotypes, although the peak prevalence of G1 appeared to decline in 2007-2011 compared to 2001-2006. The data presented in this review, which suggests a change in the pattern of rotavirus genotypes in the Iranian population, further highlights the important role of continuous monitoring of rotavirus genotypes before starting any national rotavirus vaccination program.