Human rotavirus in Iran; molecular epidemiology, genetic diversity and recent updates on vaccine advances

Human rotavirus is the predominant pathogen causing gastroenteritis in infants and children younger than 5 years of age globally. Before introduction and implementation of rotavirus vaccine, more than frothy percent of all caused acute gastroenteritis hospitalization and nearly half a million deaths per year was occurred due to Rotavirus infection mostly in the low-income countries. Rotaviruses are divided in G and P genotypes, based on two genomic segments’ nucleotide sequences VP7 and VP4, respectively. Currently, 27 G and 37 P types have been described; among them G1 to G4 and G9 and P[8], P[4], and P[6] genotypes are the most prevalent circulating rotavirus strains globally. Molecular epidemiological surveys revealed that G1P[8] is the predominant genotype in Iran, although other genotypes have also been reported. Rotavirus vaccine was recommended by the World Health Organization as a necessary part of national childhood immunization programs in 2009. Rotarix (monovalent) and RotaTeq (pantavalent) are two oral vaccines that have been available in more than one hundred countries around the world to control the viral infection and reduce the cases of diarrheal diseases. This article provides a review of frequency, molecular epidemiology and current situation of Rotavirus genetic diversity Iran. In addition, recent advances in rotavirus vaccine research are discussed.