Distribution of Rotavirus alphagastroenteritidis Strains in Blantyre, Malawi, During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
2025
End Chinyama | Chimwemwe Mhango | Rothwell Taia | Landilani Gauti | Jonathan Mandolo | Flywell Kawonga | Ernest Matambo | Prisca Matambo | Innocent Chibwe | Richard Wachepa | Nigel A. Cunliffe | Chisomo L. Msefula | Khuzwayo C. Jere
Rotavirus alphagastroenteritidis remains the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in children under five years, despite widespread vaccine use. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare and vaccination delivery, while non-pharmacological interventions may have influenced R. alphagastroenteritidis transmission. We conducted hospital-based surveillance of R. alphagastroenteritidis gastroenteritis at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre, Malawi, from October 2019 to October 2024. Children under five presenting with acute gastroenteritis were enrolled: 99.1% of vaccine-eligible participants had received at least one R. alphagastroenteritidis vaccine dose. Stool samples were tested for R. alphagastroenteritidis by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and genotyped using RT-PCR. Among 1135 enrolled children, 29.1% (330/1135) were R. alphagastroenteritidis-positive. Cases occurred year-round except for December 2020&ndash:January 2021, when no R. alphagastroenteritidis infections were detected, and February&ndash:March 2023, when no samples were collected. The prevalence varied significantly by age group between children greater than 23 months of age to the rest of the age groups (<:6 months, 6&ndash:11 months, and 12&ndash:22 months) (p = 0.0046). The most common R. alphagastroenteritidis G-genotypes were G3 (38.7%), G2 (25.4%), and G12 (17.2%), with G2 emerging as the predominant strain from June 2023. G3P[8] was the most frequent G&ndash:P combination (25%). Its overall prevalence did not change during the pandemic: however, genotype distribution shifted compared to pre-COVID-19 patterns. Sustained surveillance and genomic analyses are essential to monitor evolving strain dynamics and inform vaccine policy.
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