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Viral diarrhea in Japanese children: results from a one-year epidemiologic study

Tung Gia Phan1, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Toshimasa Kuroiwa

  • 1Department of Developmental Medical Sciences, Institute of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

Clinical Laboratory
|April 12, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Diarrheal viruses, including rotavirus and norovirus, frequently infect Japanese children. Norovirus showed year-round presence and genetic diversity, with GII/4 being the predominant genotype.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Pediatrics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Acute gastroenteritis is a common illness in infants and children.
  • Identifying causative viral agents is crucial for public health management.
  • Previous studies in Japan have focused on specific viruses or regions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of diarrheal viruses in Japanese children.
  • To analyze the molecular characteristics of detected noroviruses.
  • To understand the co-circulation patterns of enteric viruses.

Main Methods:

  • Fecal specimens from 557 children with acute gastroenteritis were analyzed.
  • Multiple detection methods were employed, including RT-PCR, PRHA, RNA-PAGE, and latex agglutination.
  • Norovirus samples underwent molecular genetic analysis via sequencing.

Main Results:

  • 56.4% of specimens tested positive for diarrheal viruses.
  • Group A rotavirus was most prevalent, followed by norovirus, adenovirus, group C rotavirus, sapovirus, and astrovirus.
  • Norovirus group II was dominant (94.3%), with GII/4 as the predominant genotype; 8 genotypes were identified.
  • Viral co-infections were observed in 7.4% of positive cases.

Conclusions:

  • Multiple diarrheal viruses co-circulate in Japanese infants and children.
  • Norovirus exhibits significant genetic diversity and year-round circulation, challenging typical seasonal patterns.
  • The findings highlight the importance of continuous surveillance for enteric viral pathogens.

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