2521. The Potential Rise in the Incidence of Rotavirus G3P[8] in Kuwait

BACKGROUND: The group A rotavirus infections are associated with severe gastroenteritis in children. G1P[8] was the most prevalent genotype found in Kuwait in a study conducted between 2005 and 2006. The demographic change in Kuwait, and the recent decision to include the Rotateq vaccine in the Kuwait national immunization program, prompted us to investigate a potential change in the prevalence of rotavirus genotypes circulating in Kuwait, and to identify the VP4 and VP7 subgenomic lineages. METHODS: Viral RNA was isolated from the stool samples of 101 children under 5 years of age, hospitalized for severe diarrhea. Rotavirus dsRNA was detected by RT-PCR in 24.7% of children with median age of 1 year. RESULTS: The genotype G3P[8] accounted for 47% of cases, followed by G1P[8] (26%), G9P[8] (10.5%), G4P[8] (10.5%), and G9P[4] (5%). Only VP7 nucleotide sequences of rotavirus G3 or G4 type clustered in the same lineage as RotaTeq, while most VP4 nucleotide sequences of rotavirus P[8] type clustered in a different lineage than Rotarix and RotaTeq vaccines. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the potential rise in the incidence of rotavirus G3P[8] in Kuwait, and invites future investigations to know whether the recent introduction of RotaTeq vaccine selects for certain genotypes and subgenomic lineages. DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.