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Human caliciviruses detected in HIV-seropositive children in Kenya

Janet Mans1, Tanya Y Murray, Nicholas M Kiulia

  • 1Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Arcadia, Pretoria, South Africa.

Journal of Medical Virology
|October 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Human caliciviruses (HuCVs) are common in Kenyan children, with norovirus (NoV) and sapovirus (SaV) showing significant genetic diversity. These viruses were found in both symptomatic and asymptomatic HIV-positive children.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Human caliciviruses (HuCVs), including norovirus (NoV) and sapovirus (SaV), are significant global causes of gastroenteritis.
  • Previous studies have detected NoV and SaV in HIV-seropositive children, but their genetic diversity in this population remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of HuCVs in Kenyan HIV-positive children between 1999 and 2000.
  • To determine if diarrheal symptoms or asymptomatic carriage are associated with specific HuCV genotypes in this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of stool specimens from HIV-positive Kenyan children (with and without diarrhea) collected between 1999 and 2000.
  • Detection and genotyping of human caliciviruses (HuCVs) using molecular methods.
  • Comparison of identified HuCV genotypes with global circulating strains.

Main Results:

  • Overall HuCV prevalence was 19%, with NoV at 17% and SaV at 5.7%.
  • HuCVs were detected in both symptomatic (24%) and asymptomatic (16%) children.
  • Remarkable genetic diversity was observed, with 12 genotypes (7 NoV, 5 SaV) identified. NoV genogroup II (GII) strains predominated, particularly GII.2 and GII.4.
  • Co-infections with other enteric viruses were more common in children with diarrhea (21.6%) than without (4.4%).
  • No specific HuCV genotype was associated with diarrheal symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • Human caliciviruses (HuCVs) exhibit significant genetic diversity in HIV-positive Kenyan children.
  • The identified HuCV genotypes reflect global patterns and strains circulating worldwide since 2000.
  • The findings highlight the importance of monitoring HuCVs in immunocompromised populations.

Keywords:
Africadiarrheanoroviruspediatricsapovirus

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