Background: In Europe information is scarce about the impact of rotavirus, probably the most important cause of acute gastroenteritis in children up to the age of 4 years. The aim of this study was to collect data on the frequency and symptoms of community-acquired rotavirus-positive acute gastroenteritis in Switzerland.
Patients and methods: In 6 paediatric practices, 3 each in the Geneva and Basle areas, every child up to the age of 48 months presenting with acute gastroenteritis between December 1997 and May 1998 was eligible for inclusion in the study. The symptoms, course of the disease and treatment were recorded in a standardized fashion after informed consent had been obtained. Stool specimens were screened for rotavirus by ELISA, and PCR was performed for serotyping in ELISA-positive samples.
Results: 294 of 6672 children under observation were taken to their paediatrician because of acute gastroenteritis during the study period. Informed consent was obtained in 256 cases (mean age 19.2 months). 234 stool specimens were available of which 96 (41%) were rotavirus-positive. The incidence of rotavirus-positive acute gastroenteritis was 1.6 per 100 children and winter season. Acute gastroenteritis due to rotavirus was more severe than rotavirus-negative acute gastroenteritis, with diarrhoea and vomiting in 84% versus 54%, and dehydration in 42% versus 28%, 5% of the acute gastroenteritis cases compared to 11% of the rotavirus-positive cases were hospitalized. In the Geneva and Basle areas the predominant rotavirus types, as identified by PCR in ELISA-positive stool specimens, were G4 P[8] and G1 P[8] respectively (67% each).
Conclusion: Rotavirus infection was a relevant cause of acute gastroenteritis in our study population, resulting in more severe symptoms than rotavirus-negative acute gastroenteritis. All G-types identified in our study are included in the recently developed tetravalent vaccine. Cost-benefit analysis and ethical issues will need to be considered in evaluating the impact of the vaccine in Switzerland.