In anticipation of a rotavirus vaccine in Nepal, this study was undertaken to determine the distribution of the G and P serotypes and electropherotypes of rotaviruses in order to examine if there is any emerging serotype or unusual strain circulating in children and adults in Nepal.

Most cases of Streptococcus suis infection in humans are caused by serotype 2 strains, and only a few cases caused by other serotypes have been reported. Among 177 human isolates of S. suis in Thailand, 12 (6.8 %) were identified as being of serotype 14, and an occurrence of sporadic S. suis serotype 14 infection was noted during 2006-2008, particularly in northern Thailand. Clinical presentations of the 12 patients (median age 62.9 years) included meningitis (58.3 %), septic arthritis (25 %) and sepsis (16.7 %). These clinical features were similar to those previously reported for S. suis infections, except that there were no fatal cases. All of the 12 serotype 14 strains belonged to the multilocus sequence types (ST) 105 (n511) and the novel ST127 (n51). Molecular typing by PFGE revealed four different pulsotypes, including an identical pattern for nine ST105 strains and three closely related patterns for two ST105 strains and one ST127 strain. Our PFGE data suggested clonal dissemination of ST105 strains in Thailand. Because serotype 14 is becoming a more common cause of S. suis infections in humans, diagnostic tests for serotype 14 should be performed in South-East Asian countries.

These viruses may become human pathogens.

Rotavirus diarrhea is an important cause of child mortality in developing countries, but studies on this diarrhea are scarce in Sri Lanka. A prospective study conducted in Sri Lanka on rotavirus infection among children in a hospital setting (n = 611) versus children residing in tsunami camps (n = 52) showed that prevalence of rotavirus infection was comparable, 21.9 and 20%, respectively. The hospital and camps were located in different districts. Analysis of the genotypes of 122 rotaviruses from the hospital and 12 from the camps indicated that G9P[8] was associated with 35 and 33%; G12P[8/nt] with 14.7 and 33%; G3P[8/4/nt] with 17 and 8% and G1P[8/4] with 6.5 and 16.7%. Rotaviruses with G2P[8/4/6] and G4P[8/4] were hospital-associated only, and some rotaviruses (9 and 8% from the hospital and the camps, respectively) were G- and P-nontypable. We conclude from the present study that multiple emerging genotypes were prevalent in Sri Lanka, and children in camps were at risk of developing diarrhea due to rotaviruses.

Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death among children less than 5 years of age. Most of these deaths occur in developing countries in the tropical areas of Africa and South Asia. Goreisan/Wulingsan, a formula of Japanese-Chinese medicinal herbs (Kampo), has been used for the treatment of diarrhea and vomiting from ancient times in East Asia. Therefore, we planned a randomized controlled clinical trial of Goreisan/Wulingsan in Bangladeshi children. Although it is believed to be safe in East Asia, information regarding its toxicity on animals is scarce. Since Goreisan/Wulingsan has never been used in Bangladesh, it was necessary to ensure the safety of the formula in an animal experiment. Rats were assigned to a control group (normal saline, n = 4) or various Goreisan/Wulingsan groups (n = 26) receiving doses of 1 to 8 mg/g/day (7.7 to 61.5 times the recommended pediatric dose) over a period of 25 days. Their activities and health conditions were observed until they were sacrificed, after which blood samples were collected for biochemical liver function tests. The kidneys, liver and heart tissue were collected for histopathological study. No lethality was observed during the experiment. All of the rats consumed the doses completely and no constipation was observed, suggesting the absence of any inhibitory effect on intestinal motion. Also, no abnormal neurological activity was detected, nor any significant elevation of AST, ALT or ALP levels, except for AST and ALT at the highest dose of 8 mg/g/day. Histopathological studies of the kidneys, liver and heart tissues revealed no abnormalities.In conclusion, our results showed that Goreisan/Wulingsan is safe for rats, thereby justifying the use of the drug in a human trial.

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