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Human calicivirus-associated diarrhea in children attending day care centers
D O Matson1, M K Estes, R I Glass
1Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.
Insights
Human calicivirus (HCV) caused 2.9% of diarrhea cases in young children attending day care centers. This study highlights HCV as a significant pathogen in this setting.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Diarrheal diseases are a major health concern in young children, particularly in group settings like day care centers.
- Human calicivirus (HCV) has been recognized as a potential cause of gastroenteritis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of human calicivirus (HCV)-associated diarrhea in children attending day care centers.
- To assess the etiological role of HCV in pediatric diarrhea outbreaks.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of stool specimens collected from children in day care centers between 1981-1983.
- Utilized screening enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with Sapporo strain reagents.
- Confirmed positive results using blocking ELISA and immunosorbent electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- HCV was detected in 2.9% (11/375) of diarrheal stool samples.
- No HCV was found in asymptomatic controls (0/86).
- HCV-associated diarrhea was sporadic, more common in younger children, and peaked in summer-fall.
Conclusions:
- Human calicivirus (HCV) is a significant cause of diarrhea in children attending day care centers.
- Epidemiological data on HCV infection can be obtained from archived frozen stool samples.
- HCV incidence in this setting was comparable to other common enteric pathogens.
Abstract:
We investigated human calicivirus (HCV)-associated diarrhea in children attending day care centers by using stool specimens collected in 1981-1983. We used a screening enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) derived from reagents prepared against the Sapporo strain of HCV and confirmed positive results with a blocking ELISA and immunosorbent electron microscopy. HCV was detected in 11 (2.9%) of 375 diarrheal stools and in none of 86 stools from asymptomatic contacts. This incidence rate was half that noted for rotaviruses and higher than that noted for Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Shigella in the original study. HCV was found in stool specimens from children in nine day care centers; HCV-associated diarrhea was sporadic, occurred with greater frequency in young children, and had a summer-fall predominance. Our results indicate that HCV is an important cause of diarrhea in day care centers and that frozen stool samples can yield epidemiological data on HCV infection.