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Asymptomatic rotavirus infections among normal Indian children in Chatsworth, Durban
I E Haffejee1, I Windsor, A Moosa
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Natal, Durban.
Insights
This study found that rotavirus antibody levels in Indian children initially drop after birth but rise significantly by 12 months, indicating ongoing exposure and infection in the community. Asymptomatic rotavirus infections are common in young children.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
Background:
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrheal disease in infants and young children worldwide.
- Understanding the seroprevalence and infection patterns of rotavirus is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the age-specific prevalence of anti-rotavirus antibodies and rotavirus antigen in a cohort of Indian children.
- To determine the incidence of asymptomatic rotavirus infections in the studied population.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 1,041 children (birth to 13 years) were tested for anti-rotavirus antibodies using the complement fixation test.
- Stool samples from 829 children were analyzed for rotavirus antigen via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Main Results:
- Antibody positivity decreased from 47.7% in newborns to 23.8% in 1-2-month-olds, then increased to 46.4% by 12-17 months.
- Overall, 16.2% of children had rotavirus antigen in stool; the highest asymptomatic infection rate (29.5%) was observed in the 12-14-month age group.
- Significant increases in antibody prevalence were noted between 2-3 and 4-5 years, suggesting continued exposure.
Conclusions:
- Asymptomatic rotavirus infection is prevalent in this Indian community.
- Children remain susceptible to and are frequently infected with rotavirus throughout early childhood.
Abstract:
During a 27-month survey in Chatsworth, Durban, serum from 1,041 normal Indian children, ranging in age from birth up to 13 years, was tested for the presence of anti-rotavirus antibodies by means of a complement fixation test. It was found that from an initial high positivity rate of 47.7% in the newborn, there was a sharp drop to 23.8% in the 1-2-month age group (P = 0.0009). This low positivity rate was maintained up to the age of 9-11 months, after which it rose to 46.4% in the 12-17-month age group (P = 0.0006). There was a further significant rise between the 2-3-year and 4-5-year age groups, probably reflecting rotavirus infections in nursery school and/or in the home, the latter being nosocomially acquired from younger siblings. Stool samples were obtained from 829 of the above subjects: overall, 16.2% were positive for rotavirus antigen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the highest rate (29.5%) of asymptomatic rotavirus infection was in the 12-14-month age group. The data indicate that asymptomatic infection with rotavirus is not uncommon in this community and that older children continue to be exposed to and become infected with rotavirus.