Molecular Epidemiology of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Under-Five Children at Federal Medical Centre Birnin Kebbi

Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe acute gastroenteritis in children under five years globally, contributing substantially to childhood diarrheal disease burden in Nigeria. Despite vaccine availability, genotypic surveillance remains critical to track circulating strains and monitor vaccine-strain concordance. This study investigated the molecular epidemiology of rotavirus among children presenting with acute gastroenteritis at Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Northwest Nigeria. Stool specimens were collected from 140 children aged 0-59 months with acute diarrhea. ELISA was used for rotavirus antigen detection, and RT-PCR was employed for genotyping based on G and P type classification. Rotavirus was detected in 36.4% of diarrheal stool samples. The predominant circulating genotype was G1P[8] (39%), followed by G2P[4] (22%) and G3P[8] (17%). Mixed genotype infections were observed in 11% of positive samples. The high prevalence of G1P[8] is broadly consistent with vaccine coverage genotypes, though the presence of uncommon genotypes warrants continued monitoring. These findings provide timely molecular epidemiology data to inform rotavirus vaccination programs in Kebbi State. Keywords: rotavirus, gastroenteritis, G and P genotypes, RT-PCR, Kebbi State.