Molecular Characterization of Rotavirus A Associated with Outbreaks of Acute Gastroenteritis in Sarawak in 2001 and 2007

摘要

Background: An unusual increase in the burden of gastroenteritis cases was noted in Serian, in the south of Sarawak in 2001. A similar occurrence was also observed in Miri, in the north of Sarawak in 2007. Stool samples collected from these two isolated outbreaks were tested for rotavirus, which is a primary etiological agent of gastroenteritis. This study aimed to characterize the G (VP7) and P (VP4) genotypes of group A human rotavirus circulating in these two outbreaks. The G and P types of the rotavirus-positive faecal specimens were determined by reverse-transcription PCR and sequencing.