Genetic and antigenic characterization of rotavirus serotype G9 strains isolated in Australia between 1997 and 2001.

Rotavirus serotype G9 is recognized as the most widespread of the emerging serotypes, emerging since 1996 as a frequent cause of severe acute gastroenteritis in children from many countries covering all continents of the world. This study characterized serotype G9 strains collected in three widely separated Australian centers from 1997 to 2001. All G9 strains possessed the VP4 P[8] and VP6 subgroup II genes.

Early phase II trial of human rotavirus vaccine candidate RV3.

A naturally attenuated, human neonatal strain, rotavirus vaccine candidate RV3, was tested in a limited phase II randomized double-blind controlled trial. Doses of 1 ml, containing placebo or 6.5 x 10(5) fluorescent cell forming units (fcfu) of virus in AGMK cells, were given at 3, 5 and 7 months of age.

Epidemiological patterns of rotaviruses causing severe gastroenteritis in young children throughout Australia from 1993 to 1996.

Rotavirus strains that caused severe diarrhea in 4,634 (2,533 male) children aged less than 5 years and admitted to major hospitals in eight centers throughout Australia from 1993 to 1996 were subject to antigenic and genetic analyses. The G serotypes of rotaviruses were identified in 81.9% (3,793 of 4,634) children.

Rotavirus infection and rates of hospitalisation for acute gastroenteritis in young children in Australia, 1993-1996.

Objective: To determine rates of hospitalisation of young children for acute gastroenteritis in Australia, and to estimate the proportion of these admissions caused by rotavirus infection.

Design: Analysis of hospital admission records, and parallel, prospectively collected data on rotavirus-positive admissions.

Setting: Hospitals admitting young children in all Australian States and Territories in 1993-1996.