Epidemiological characteristics of rotavirus gastroenteritis in China: A systematic review of studies published from 2014 to 2023.
Yanwei Wu, Xinling Liu, Qingmei Leng et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review analysed 320 studies published from 2014 to 2023 on rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) incidence, population distribution and genotypes in China. Rotavirus positivity among children was 26.46% in outpatient/emergency settings and 32.85% among inpatients. Genotype patterns shifted over time: after 2018, G9 and P[8] predominated in both children and adults, while G8 increased among children. The review found substantial geographic variation in reported positivity and infection counts, and concluded that RVGE remains a significant burden in China.
Key findings
- Rotavirus positivity was 26.46% among children attending outpatient/emergency departments and 32.85% among paediatric inpatients.
- After 2018, G9 accounted for 66.73% of child and 67.43% of adult G genotypes; P[8] accounted for 88.62% and 88.57%, respectively.
- Among children, G8 increased from 0.89% before 2018 to 5.08% after 2018.
- The highest reported child positivity rates were in Jilin (48.59%), Shanxi (40.89%) and Xinjiang (37.65%).
Why it matters
The review brings together evidence of substantial RVGE burden and geographic variation in China, alongside changes in circulating genotypes. These patterns are relevant to monitoring disease burden and assessing whether vaccine strains remain aligned with circulating rotavirus types. The findings also underscore the value of consistent surveillance across populations and regions.
What to keep in mind
The review synthesizes published studies, and the abstract notes the absence of a comprehensive detection system in China; reported rates and infection counts may therefore not represent uniform national surveillance.