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Viruses causing childhood diarrhoea in the developing world

Sasirekha Ramani1, Gagandeep Kang

  • 1Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
|July 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Enteric viruses are a major cause of childhood diarrhea in developing nations, with rotaviruses and noroviruses being most common. Further research into susceptibility and immune responses is needed for effective interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Acute gastroenteritis is a significant cause of childhood illness and death in developing countries.
  • Improvements in sanitation have shifted the burden of diarrheal disease towards viral pathogens.
  • This review examines the role of enteric viruses in childhood diarrhea within developing regions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of enteric viruses causing diarrhea in children in developing countries.
  • To highlight the increasing importance of viral agents in childhood gastroenteritis.
  • To discuss the implications of new molecular techniques in identifying viral pathogens and their spread.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on studies of childhood diarrhea in developing countries.
  • Analysis of data on viral etiology of gastroenteritis.
  • Inclusion of findings from molecular techniques for pathogen identification.

Main Results:

  • Enteric viruses are identified in nearly 43% of childhood diarrhea cases in developing countries.
  • Rotaviruses are the most prevalent viral pathogens, followed by noroviruses.
  • Evidence suggests rotaviruses and caliciviruses can spread beyond the gastrointestinal tract.

Conclusions:

  • Viral gastroenteritis is a critical health concern for children in developing nations.
  • Molecular methods are crucial for detecting emerging viral strains and extra-intestinal infections.
  • Further research on host susceptibility and immune responses is essential for developing targeted interventions.
Abstract

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