The temporal distribution, with each serotype predominating alternatively during each season, may also be seen as the cyclical nature of rotavirus infections [26]. However, the study period was not long enough to confirm these yearly or cyclical changes. In conclusion, this cohort study demonstrates selleck the importance of rotavirus as a cause of disease in young children in India, and its contribution to severe disease. Rotavirus infection in the neonatal period

in the community is rarely reported, and the influence of such infections on subsequent vaccination with rotavirus vaccines needs to be elucidated. The roles of early infections, and high rates of re-infections outside of a rotavirus season, specific genotypes in infection and disease in different regions of the world also need further investigation to better understand virus circulation, transmission and pathogenicity. None declared. “
“Rotavirus is the most severe cause of diarrheal illness among infants and young children. Worldwide, nearly 453,000 children less than 5 years of age die each

year due to rotavirus infection of which about 98,621 die in India each year [1]. TSA HDAC Besides high mortality, rotavirus infection annually results in an estimated 457,000–884,000 hospitalizations and 2 million outpatient visits in children less than 5 years of Oxalosuccinic acid age [2]. India spends approximately 41–72 million USD each year in

medical costs treating rotavirus related diarrhea [2]. High rotavirus incidence, economic burden and loss of human life emphasize the need for inclusion of the rotavirus vaccine in the national immunization program. Two rotavirus vaccines, Rotateq® and Rotarix® have been licensed in several countries worldwide and are available in India. Although they have been highly successful in reducing rotavirus related hospital admissions in developed countries, their efficacy has been rather low in developing countries [3]. An indigenous Indian neonatal vaccine, ROTAVAC successfully completed the Phase III clinical trials and is expected to be licensed in India in early 2014. Once licensed, ROTAVAC would be a better alternative for inclusion in the national vaccination program and would also be beneficial for other developing countries due to low vaccine cost and large target population for vaccination. Rotavirus vaccine efficacy depends largely on the 2 major outer viral proteins, VP7 (glycoprotein) and VP4 (protease sensitive protein) which are the prime targets for neutralizing antibodies and have been shown to generate protective immunity. They also form the basis of RV genotyping in which the VP7 protein defines the G-types and the VP4 defines the P-types [4]. At least, 27 G and 35 P genotypes have been identified in humans and animals [5].