Prevalence and Distribution of Common Rotavirus Genotypes in Iran and Comparing them with Vaccine Strains Before the Start of the National Vaccination Program

Since the discovery of rotaviruses in 1973, these viruses have been identified as one of the most important and common causes of diarrhea in infants and children all over the world. Before the introduction of rotavirus vaccination, this virus led to the death of more than 500,000 children in the world annually, which mainly occurs in developing countries. With the introduction of Rotarix and RotaTeq vaccines as well as ROTAVAC and ROTASIIL in the world, the death rate has decreased by 50%. Iran, like many countries, is in the period before rotavirus vaccination, and considering putting the rotavirus vaccine in the vaccination program is one of the priorities of the country's health system. Therefore, knowing the genotypes circulating in Iran in the past and recent years and their comparison with vaccine strains is very important. Our aim in the current study is to review the prevalence of rotavirus and its genotypes circulating in Iran and whether the existing vaccines based on the circulating strains in Iran can be effective.

Studies regard to the prevalence and genotypes of rotavirus in Iran were reviewed.

 G1P[8] genotype includes more than 50% of circulating genotypes. Non-G1P[8] genotypes, including G4P[8], G3P[8] and G9P[8], have also had a high frequency in some studies. In addition, in a recent study, it has been shown that the rare and uncommon genotype G9P[4] has been introduced as a common genotype.

Studies in Iran have shown that the country may face a change in the rotavirus genotype pattern in the future. This study can provide useful information to recommend appropriate policies for rotavirus vaccination before the start of the national vaccination program and may even change policies for the use of existing vaccines.