Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

EPA Method 1615. Measurement of Enterovirus and Norovirus Occurrence in Water by Culture and RT-qPCR. Part III. Virus Detection by RT-qPCR
12:32

EPA Method 1615. Measurement of Enterovirus and Norovirus Occurrence in Water by Culture and RT-qPCR. Part III. Virus Detection by RT-qPCR

Published on: January 16, 2016

Mixed viral infections causing acute gastroenteritis in children in a waterborne outbreak

S Räsänen1, S Lappalainen, S Kaikkonen

  • 1University of Tampere Medical School, Tampere, Finland. sirpa.rasanen@uta.fi

Epidemiology and Infection
|January 23, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Sewage-contaminated water caused severe acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in Finnish children. Multiple viruses, including rotavirus and norovirus, were common, leading to mixed infections and significant illness severity.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Epidemiology

Background:

  • Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks can be linked to contaminated water sources.
  • Identifying causative agents in mixed infections is crucial for understanding disease transmission and severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate viral and bacterial pathogens in children hospitalized with AGE due to a sewage-contaminated water source in Finland.
  • To determine the prevalence of various enteric viruses and bacteria and their association with AGE severity.

Main Methods:

  • PCR methods were used to detect viral pathogens in stool specimens from 50 children.
  • Bacterial culture was performed on a subset of samples.
  • Clinical severity was assessed using a 20-point scale.

Main Results:

  • Rotavirus (66%) and human calicivirus (62%) were the most prevalent viruses, with noroviruses and sapoviruses identified within caliciviruses.
  • Aichi virus (50%) was also frequently detected.
  • Campylobacter jejuni (61%) was the most common bacterial pathogen; bloody diarrhea was associated with C. jejuni.

Conclusions:

  • A large-scale exposure to multiple enteric viruses resulted in mixed infections and severe AGE in children.
  • The severity of AGE was high regardless of the specific viral agents detected.
  • Bacterial co-infection, particularly C. jejuni, was linked to bloody diarrhea.

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