Detection of Rotavirus in Respiratory Specimens From Bangladeshi Children Aged <2 Years Hospitalized for Acute Gastroenteritis

To examine the potential for respiratory transmission of rotavirus, we systematically assessed if rotavirus RNA is detectable by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from nasal and oropharyngeal swab specimens of Bangladeshi children with acute rotavirus gastroenteritis. Forehead swabs were collected to assess skin contamination. Among 399 children aged <2 years hospitalized for gastroenteritis during peak rotavirus season, rotavirus RNA was detected in stool, oral, nasal and forehead swab specimens of 354 (89%). A subset was genotyped; genotype was concordant within a child's specimen set and several different genotypes were detected across children. These findings support possible respiratory transmission of rotavirus and warrant further investigation. Rotavirus RNA was frequently detected in oropharyngeal and nasal swab specimens from Bangladeshi children hospitalized with acute rotavirus gastroenteritis, supporting possible replication of rotavirus in the upper respiratory tract and respiratory transmission.