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Viral isolates of intussusception in Nigerian infants
1Departments of Surgery and Microbiology, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Abstract:
Idiopathic intussusception is associated with viral pathogens of gastrointestinal respiratory and febrile diseases of infancy and early childhood. These agents are known to vary from one region to another. No such specific viruses have, however, been reported from Nigeria. We therefore collected stools from 28 infants with intussusception as well as 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls and subjected these specimens to viral isolation techniques. Of the 21 viral isolates obtained from the two groups, 17 (81%) were from the intussusception group while 4 (19%) were from the controls. Ten (58.8%) of the 17 isolates from these subjects were identified as adenoviruses using monoclonal antibody. All of them were from the intussusception group. None of the four isolates from the controls significantly reacted with this antibody. We concluded that adenoviruses are strongly associated with primary intussusception in Nigerian infants.
Insights
Adenoviruses are strongly linked to idiopathic intussusception in Nigerian infants. This study identified adenoviruses in 58.8% of intussusception cases, suggesting a significant etiological role.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Idiopathic intussusception in infants is often linked to viral infections.
- The specific viral agents implicated can differ geographically.
- No definitive viruses were previously reported for Nigerian infants with intussusception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between viral pathogens and idiopathic intussusception in Nigerian infants.
- To identify specific viruses present in infants with intussusception compared to healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Stool samples were collected from 28 infants with intussusception and 20 age/sex-matched healthy controls.
- Viral isolation techniques were employed to analyze the specimens.
- Monoclonal antibody testing was used to identify viral isolates, specifically targeting adenoviruses.
Main Results:
- A total of 21 viral isolates were obtained: 17 from the intussusception group and 4 from controls.
- Adenoviruses were identified in 10 (58.8%) of the 17 isolates from the intussusception group.
- None of the isolates from the control group showed significant reaction to the adenovirus-specific antibody.
Conclusions:
- Adenoviruses are strongly associated with primary intussusception in Nigerian infants.
- This finding highlights a potential regional variation in the etiology of intussusception.
- Further research into adenovirus as a causative agent is warranted.