Electropherotypes and subgroups of group A rotaviruses circulating among diarrhoeic children in Kano, Nigeria

Prevalence and relative risk of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in children under five years in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Rotavirus is responsible for most cases of gastroenteritis and mortality in children below 5 years of age, especially in developing countries, including Nigeria. Nonetheless, there is limited data on the nationwide estimate for the prevalence of rotavirus. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to determine the pooled prevalence of rotavirus infections and its relative risk among children below 5 years of age in Nigeria. Eligible published studies between 1982 and 2021 were accessed from 'PubMed', 'Science Direct', 'Google Scholar' and 'African Journal Online', 'Web of Science', 'Springer', 'Wiley' were systematically reviewed. The pooled prevalence, relative risk and regional subgroup analyses were calculated using the random effects model at 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 62 selected studies, including 15 studies case-control studies, were processed in this review from a pooled population of 18,849 children. The nationwide pooled prevalence of rotavirus among children below 5 years of age in Nigeria was 23% (CI 95%; 19-27). Regional subgroup analysis showed that the Southern region had a prevalence of 27% (CI 95%; 21-32) while the Northern region had a 20% (CI 95%; 16-25%) prevalence, although the difference was not significant (P = 0.527). Rotavirus was implicated in most cases of acute gastroenteritis with a relative risk of 5.7 (95% CI: 2.9-11.2). The high prevalence and relative risk of rotavirus infections among children in Nigeria shows that rotavirus is an important cause of acute gastroenteritis in Nigeria. Thus, there is a need for further surveillance, especially at community levels together with the introduction of rotavirus vaccines into the national immunization program.

Prevalence of rotavirus A infection and the detection of type G3P[11] strain in ruminants in Yobe state, Nigeria

Rotaviruses have a worldwide distribution and the infection is associated with diarrhea in young of ruminants as well as children. However, limited data exist on its prevalence and types in Yobe state, Nigeria. Detection of rotavirus A and types in ruminant population in Yobe state was the aim of the study. A total of 470 diarrheic fecal samples were collected and tested for rotavirus and types using serology and molecular techniques respectively. A prevalence rate of 2.98% (14/470) was found in the three species with specific rates of 2.9% (6/202), 3.8% (6/158), and 1.8% (2/110) in goat, sheep, and cattle respectively. The prevalence rates of 3.6% (12/331), 1.2% (1/84), and 1.8% (1/55) were for those aged < 1-3, 4-6, and 7-9 months old, respectively, while 4.9% (9/185) and 1.7% (5/285) were in males and females respectively. Rotavirus genes VP7 and VP4 were detected in 2 (14.3%) out of the 14 ELISA-positive samples while deduced amino acid sequences of the major variable regions revealed the genes to belong to types G3P[11] strain. Significant association was found between the infection and sex (P < 0.05) unlike in the species and age groups of the ruminants. The circulation of rotavirus virus in ruminants and type G3P[11] in cattle has been confirmed in the study. Hence, there is a need for continuous surveillance, awareness campaign, and assessment of the economic losses and public health implications of rotavirus infection in Nigeria.