Related Experiment Videos
Seroepidemiology of adult diarrhea rotavirus in China, 1977 to 1987
M E Penaranda1, M S Ho, Z Y Fang
1Viral Gastroenteritis Unit, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.
Abstract:
In 1982, large outbreaks of diarrhea that were caused by group B adult diarrhea rotavirus (ADRV) occurred throughout the People's Republic of China. Until 1982, group B rotavirus had never been associated with disease in humans. To determine whether ADRV was a new virus introduced in 1982 or had been present before that time, we examined antibody titers of ADRV in gamma globulin (pooled immunoglobulin) pools that were prepared during 1977 to 1987 in four cities in the People's Republic of China (Shanghai, Lanzhou, Wuhan, and Chandu). ADRV antibodies were assayed by using a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibodies were present in most Chinese gamma globulins tested, including those collected in Shanghai before the 1982 epidemic, and absent from American reference pools. The highest titers of antibody to ADRV (3,200) were found in gamma globulins collected in 1983 in Shanghai just after the epidemic, and these were fourfold higher than titers present in the preceding years. The quality of the gamma globulins stored for up to 12 years was tested by measuring levels of immunoglobulin G to group A rotavirus; these were equally high in gamma globulin pools prepared in the United States and in all samples from the People's Republic of China. Serum samples from patients from an outbreak of ADRV had elevated titers to ADRV 3 and 16 months after the onset of symptoms. These findings, as well as other epidemiologic findings on ADRV, suggest that the organism is an important and continuing cause of diarrhea in the People's Republic of China, was present before the first epidemic in 1982, and represents a risk to surrounding populations in Asia.
Insights
Group B adult diarrhea rotavirus (ADRV) caused outbreaks in China starting in 1982. Antibodies found in gamma globulin before 1982 indicate ADRV was present earlier, posing a continued risk.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Large outbreaks of diarrhea caused by group B adult diarrhea rotavirus (ADRV) occurred in China in 1982.
- Group B rotavirus had not previously been linked to human disease before 1982.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if ADRV was a newly introduced virus in 1982 or had circulated prior.
- To determine the historical presence of ADRV in China.
Main Methods:
- Examined antibody titers to ADRV in gamma globulin pools collected from 1977-1987 in four Chinese cities.
- Utilized a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect ADRV antibodies.
- Assessed gamma globulin quality using immunoglobulin G levels against group A rotavirus.
Main Results:
- ADRV antibodies were detected in most Chinese gamma globulin samples, including those from before the 1982 epidemic.
- Antibodies were absent in American reference pools.
- Highest ADRV antibody titers (3,200) were observed in 1983 Shanghai gamma globulin, fourfold higher than preceding years.
- Immunoglobulin G levels for group A rotavirus confirmed gamma globulin quality across all samples.
- Patient serum samples showed elevated ADRV titers months after symptom onset.
Conclusions:
- ADRV was circulating in China before the 1982 epidemic.
- ADRV is an important and ongoing cause of diarrhea in China.
- The virus poses a potential risk to surrounding Asian populations.