Changing distribution of human rotavirus serotypes during two epidemic outbreaks of gastroenteritis in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, 2003-2004: detection of G6 strains.

Background: Rotavirus serotypes G1-G4 and G9 are the most important agents of severe diarrhea in children worldwide.

Objective: To characterize rotavirus serotypes/genotypes causing two large outbreaks of diarrhea in Campinas, São Paulo, during 2003-2004.

Study: Rotavirus infection was investigated in 328 stool specimens collected from children and adults with diarrhea by PAGE and RT-PCR and further characterized by semi-nested PCR-typing assays.