Projekt

Rotaviruses are one of the leading causes of diarrhea in children worldwide with high mortality rates. In Mozambique, diarrheal diseases remain an important problem in children up to five years old. Furthermore, there is little information regarding the etiology of the diarrheal diseases. Vaccination against rotavirus is being implemented in many countries with some problems in children with immunodeficiency. Concerns arise from reports where rotavirus detected in tissue samples from HIV infected children were thought to be associated with fatal outcomes. HIV positive children are the largest immunosuppressed population which will be vaccinated against rotavirus, mostly in developing countries. The aim of the present study is to determine the impact of HIV on rotavirus infection and the effect of extra-intestinal spread detection of rotavirus in clinical outcomes of the children and genetically characterize and compare rotavirus strains isolated from fecal samples and from sera in the same child, to find possible determinants for tissue tropisms. By studying the rotavirus infection in this population, the proposed study will be able to provide recommendations to the Mozambican Ministry of health in policymaking and the introduction of a vaccine in Mozambique.

• Prof. Dr. Bernhard Fleischer

  Bernhard-Nocht-Institut
  für Tropenmedizin (BNITM)
  Hamburg
  

• Dr. Nilsa de Deus

  Manhiça Health Research Centre CISM
  Maputo
  Mosambik (Mocambique)