Differences in clinical and laboratory parameters according to prior rotavirus vaccination status in children hospitalized for viral gastroenteritis.

Background: Rotavirus vaccination is effective in preventing acute gastroenteritis (AGE), but evidence regarding its potential non-specific effects remains elusive. We examined the associations of prior rotavirus vaccination with clinical and laboratory parameters in children with viral AGE, exploring potential non-specific effects of rotavirus vaccine.

Methods: A single-center study was conducted in Israel, including 494 children aged 2-23 months hospitalized during 2011-2015. Demographics and clinical and laboratory data were obtained via parental interviews, and from medical records, and rotavirus vaccination status (pentavalent vaccine) was determined via the national immunization registry.

Results: Overall, 8.7% of the participants were unvaccinated for rotavirus, 29.8% partially vaccinated, and 61.5% were fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated participants had significantly higher hemoglobin levels: beta-coefficient 0.58 (95% CI 0.18-0.98), hematocrit 1.89 (0.77-3.03), and lymphocytes: 1.51 (0.63-2.39) levels, but a lower lymphocyte-neutrophil ratio than unvaccinated participants. The likelihood of having a urine culture performed was lower in fully vaccinated participants (OR=0.21, 0.07-0.61). Complete-series vaccination was inversely related to rotavirus detection (OR=0.17, 0.05-0.57).

Conclusion: Rotavirus vaccination correlates with better nutritional status and lower inflammation in AGE patients, suggesting additional beneficial effects of the vaccine and highlighting the need to increase vaccination coverage.