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A family outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by group C rotavirus
L Maunula1, L Svensson, C H von Bonsdorff
1Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Insights
Group C rotavirus caused a family outbreak of gastroenteritis. Diagnostic methods confirmed the infection and detected specific IgM and IgG antibodies in patient sera, aiding in serological diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gastroenteritis outbreaks can be caused by various pathogens, including rotaviruses.
- Group C rotavirus (RVC) is a less common cause of human illness compared to other groups.
- Accurate diagnostic methods are crucial for identifying specific rotavirus strains and managing outbreaks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a family outbreak of gastroenteritis linked to group C rotavirus.
- To detail the diagnostic approaches used to identify RVC infection.
- To evaluate serological methods for detecting RVC-specific antibodies in affected individuals.
Main Methods:
- Rotavirus RNA detection via gel electrophoresis in stool samples.
- Serological confirmation using cell culture-adapted porcine RVC as antigen.
- Immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) for IgM and IgG antibody detection.
- Development of a roller tube neutralization test (NT) for neutralizing antibodies.
Main Results:
- Diagnosis of RVC gastroenteritis in a five-member family outbreak.
- Detection of rotavirus RNA with a group C profile in stool samples.
- Presence of RVC-specific IgM and/or IgG antibodies in all tested serum samples.
- Identification of RVC-specific IgM in 3/4 patients during the early phase of illness.
Conclusions:
- Gel electrophoresis and serological tests are effective for diagnosing group C rotavirus infections.
- IFAT and NT are valuable tools for detecting RVC-specific antibodies in human sera.
- These validated methods can aid in the serological diagnosis of group C rotavirus infections and outbreak investigations.
Abstract:
A family outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by group C rotavirus is described. All five members of the family, with children between 8 and 15 years of age, fell ill with diarrhea. The diagnosis was initially based on the detection of rotavirus RNA showing a typical group C profile in gel electrophoresis in stool samples, and it was serologically verified from patient sera using a cell culture adapted porcine group C rotavirus as a source of standard antigen. All collected serum samples from the family contained IgM and/or IgG class antibodies to group C rotavirus measurable by immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Group C rotavirus specific IgM class antibodies were present in the early serum samples in 3/4 patients. A roller tube neutralization test (NT) was established to demonstrate neutralizing antibodies to porcine group C rotavirus in human sera. These methods can be used to detect serologically group C rotavirus infections.