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Epidemiological and clinical features of rotavirus associated acute infantile diarrhoea in Cairo, Egypt
Insights
Rotavirus infection was detected in 40% of young children with acute diarrhea. Rotavirus was more common outside of hot months and associated with watery stools and vomiting.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Acute diarrhea is a significant health concern in infants and young children.
- Rotavirus is a common cause of gastroenteritis in this age group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of rotavirus in children with acute diarrhea.
- To investigate the clinical and seasonal patterns of rotavirus infection.
Main Methods:
- Stool specimens from 200 children (1-24 months) with acute diarrhea were tested using the ELISA technique.
- Data on age, feeding type, nutritional status, stool consistency, vomiting, and respiratory symptoms were collected.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus was detected in 40% of the cases.
- Prevalence was higher during cooler months (37-60%) compared to hot months (24-32%).
- Rotavirus-positive cases showed a higher likelihood of watery stools, vomiting, and respiratory symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus is a major contributor to acute diarrhea in young children in the study area.
- Clinical presentation and seasonality provide important clues for rotavirus diagnosis.
Abstract:
Rotavirus was looked for in stool specimens from 200 randomly chosen infants and children aged 1-24 months presenting with acute diarrhoea of not more than 5 days duration at the Bab El-Sha'reya University Hospital during a 12-month period (January-December 1986). Forty per cent of cases were positive for rotavirus by the ELISA technique. Considering the seasonal pattern, during the hot months May to August, the monthly percentage of rotavirus positive cases ranged from 24 to 32 per cent while during the rest of the year, the range was from 37 to 60 per cent. There was no statistically significant difference between the rotavirus positive and negative cases as regards mean age in months (9.5 +/- 5.1 and 9.2 +/- 5.5, respectively), type of feeding or nutritional status. However, rotavirus positive cases were significantly more likely to present earlier, to have watery stools, to vomit or even to have vomiting before the onset of diarrhoea and to have respiratory symptoms. On the other hand, the means of dehydration score, rectal temperature and serum Na+ were not significantly different between the two groups.