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Published on: April 20, 2011
Analysis of Aichi virus and Saffold virus association with pediatric acute gastroenteritis
Li-Li Li1, Na Liu1, Jei-Mei Yu1
1National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, Beijing, China.
Insights
Aichi virus (AiV) and Saffold virus (SAFV) infections are not associated with acute gastroenteritis in children. These viruses commonly cause asymptomatic infections, despite evidence of replication in humans.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Aichi virus (AiV) and Saffold virus (SAFV) are detected globally in children with gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses.
- Their specific role in causing acute gastroenteritis remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between AiV and SAFV and acute gastroenteritis in pediatric patients.
- To determine if these viruses are causative agents of diarrhea in children.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted with 461 paired stool samples from children with diarrhea and healthy controls in China.
- Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to detect AiV and SAFV.
- Cox regression analysis and phylogenetic analysis were performed.
Main Results:
- AiV and SAFV were more prevalent in asymptomatic children than in those with acute gastroenteritis.
- No statistically significant association was found between AiV or SAFV infection and diarrhea.
- High viral loads were detected in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, with no significant difference.
Conclusions:
- The study found no evidence that AiV or SAFV cause acute gastroenteritis in children.
- These viruses can replicate in humans, but infections are typically asymptomatic.
- Further research may explore the full spectrum of AiV and SAFV infections in pediatric populations.
Background:
Aichi virus (AiV) and Saffold virus (SAFV) have been reported in children with acute gastroenteritis and respiratory disease worldwide; however, their causative role in acute gastroenteritis remains ambiguous.
Objectives:
To assess the clinical association of AiV and SAFV with acute gastroenteritis in the pediatric population.
Study Design:
A case-control study involving 461 paired stool samples from pediatric cases with diarrhea and healthy controls was conducted in China. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to screen AiV and SAFV.
Results:
In the 461 paired samples, AiV and SAFV were more prevalent among asymptomatic children than children with acute gastroenteritis (0.87% vs. 0.43% and 2.8% vs. 1.5%, respectively), with no significant differences between groups (p=0.142 and p=0.478, respectively). Cox regression model analysis revealed no correlation between AiV (odds ratio, OR=2.24; 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.76-6.54) or SAFV infection (OR=1.36; 95% CI, 0.86-2.15) and diarrhea. High viral loads were found in both AiV- and SAFV-positive groups, with no significant difference in viral load between the groups (p=0.507 and p=0.677, respectively). No other known enteric pathogens were found in the AiV-positive samples but common in SAFV-positive cases. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all 6 AiV subjects clustered with genotype B. All 7 SAFV-positive cases and 8 of 13 SAFV-positive controls were genotyped successfully; the genotypes identified included SAFV-1, SAFV-2 SAFV-3, and SAFV-6.
Conclusion:
Our study revealed no association of these viruses in acute gastroenteritis in children. These viruses may have the ability to replicate in humans; however, the infections are usually asymptomatic.
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