Abstract: To analyze the detection of group A rotavirus (RVA) in the diarrheal patients of Zhuhai City and its correlation with patient gender, age, and infection timing. Fecal specimens were collected from patients with diarrhea in Zhuhai Center for Maternal and Child Health Care from January 2019 to December 2022 and were tested for RVA antigen using antigen test kit. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using SPSS 20.0. Among the 11 385 fecal samples collected, with an overall RVA detection rate of 9.170% (1 044/11 385), and no significant difference in gender distribution (P>0.05). RVA was detected in all age groups, with the highest positive rate of 9.962% (369/3 704) in infants (29 days to <1 year), significantly higher than those in school-age children (6 to <12 years) and adults (≥18 years) (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in the positive rate of RVA among children under 6 years old (P>0.05). RVA infections occurred throughout the year, with the highest positive rate of 15.456% (117/757) in February. The positive rate of RVA in February was significantly higher than that in other months except for January, March, and May (P<0.01). Seasonally, the positive rate of 11.666% (341/2 923) was the highest in spring, which was significantly higher than that in summer and autumn (P<0.01). The study showed that RVA infection in Zhuhai from 2019 to 2022 exhibited obvious seasonal and population distribution characteristics. It is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of RVA in children under 6 years old in late winter and early spring. This study is helpful to better understand transmission characteristics and rules of RVA in Zhuhai, and provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of RVA in this area.

Key words: infectious diarrhea; group A rotavirus; epidemiological characteristics; positive rate of infants and young children; epidemiological analysis

（Acta Laser Biology Sinica, 2023, 32(6): 569-576）