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Enteric viral infections in pre-school children in Karachi, Pakistan
M Agboatwalla1, S Isomura, D S Akram
1Department of Pediatrics, Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Insights
In Pakistan, rotavirus and adenovirus were common causes of acute gastroenteritis in children. Enterovirus excretion rates were high in both sick and healthy children, suggesting widespread circulation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Acute gastroenteritis is a significant health concern in children globally.
- Understanding the viral etiology of gastroenteritis is crucial for public health interventions.
- Enteropathogen prevalence can vary geographically and over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the virology of enteropathogens causing acute gastroenteritis in children in Karachi, Pakistan.
- To compare the prevalence of specific viral pathogens between children with acute gastroenteritis and healthy controls.
- To assess the excretion rates of enteroviruses in different pediatric groups.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study design comparing children with acute gastroenteritis to a healthy control group.
- Detection of Rotavirus and Adenovirus using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) techniques.
- Isolation of enteroviruses through standard virus culture methods.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus prevalence in children with acute watery diarrhea increased from 12.3% in 1990 to 24.4% in 1991.
- Adenovirus serotypes 40 and 41 were not detected in healthy children.
- Enteroviruses were isolated with similar frequency across all groups (diarrheal, poliomyelitis, and healthy children), with non-polio enteroviruses excreted by 50-52%.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus and Adenovirus are significant viral agents associated with acute gastroenteritis in Pakistani children.
- High rates of enterovirus excretion in both symptomatic and asymptomatic children suggest widespread circulation.
- Enterovirus excretion rates in this population exceed those reported in developed countries.
Abstract:
A prospective study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan on the virology of enteropathogens excreted by children with acute gastroenteritis and the results were compared with a control group of healthy children. Rotavirus and Adenovirus detection was done using ELISA techniques, while enterovirus isolation was done by virus culture. In 1990, 12.3% children with acute watery diarrhoea excreted rotavirus, as compared to 24.4% children in 1991. None of the healthy children excreted adenovirus 40 and 41. Preliminary results of 1992 revealed that rotavirus was seen in 13% of children with acute watery diarrhoea and adenovirus in 10% of children. Enteroviruses were isolated in the same frequency in all three groups i.e. children with acute watery diarrhoea, children with poliomyelitis and healthy children. Non-polio enteroviruses were excreted in 50-52% in all the 3 groups. The rate of enterovirus excretion is much higher than seen in other developed countries and is the same in children with diarrhoea and healthy children.