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Seroconversion patterns to four human rotavirus serotypes in hospitalized infants with acute rotavirus
H Brüssow1, H Werchau, L Lerner
1Nestlé Research Center, Nestec Limited, Vers-chez-les-Blanc, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Insights
Infants hospitalized with rotavirus gastroenteritis often showed specific IgM antibodies, indicating a primary infection. Seroconversion to common rotavirus serotypes was observed in over half of the infants studied.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Rotavirus gastroenteritis is a common cause of hospitalization in infants.
- Understanding the immune response to rotavirus is crucial for developing effective vaccines and treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development of rotavirus-specific antibodies (IgM, IgG, IgA) and seroconversion patterns in hospitalized infants with acute rotavirus gastroenteritis.
- To correlate antibody responses with clinical symptoms and patient age.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of paired sera from 71 hospitalized infants using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibody detection.
- Neutralization tests were performed to assess seroconversion to specific rotavirus serotypes.
Main Results:
- Specific IgM antibodies were detected in 46% of infants, correlating positively with age and symptom severity.
- IgG and IgA titers increased in 7% and 2% of infants, respectively.
- 59% of infants showed seroconversion to rotavirus, with common serotypes (1, 3, 4) being most frequent.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights the significant role of IgM in the acute phase of rotavirus infection in infants.
- Rotavirus seroconversion patterns suggest a predominant response to specific common serotypes.
- Findings contribute to understanding infant immunity against rotavirus and inform vaccine strategies.
Abstract:
We studied rotavirus-specific antibodies in paired sera from 71 hospitalized infants with acute rotavirus gastroenteritis. Most of the infants were less than six months old. Infants with serological evidence of a secondary rotavirus infection were excluded. With an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, 46% of the 71 infants studied showed specific IgM in convalescent sera. Titers of specific IgG and IgA increased in 7% and 2% of the infants, respectively. The presence of specific IgM correlated positively with age and severity of clinical symptoms. With a neutralization test, 59% of the infants showed a seroconversion: 20% to a single serotype (7% to serotype 1, 7% to serotype 3, and 6% to serotype 4), 21% seroconverted to two serotypes (nearly exclusively to serotypes 1 and 3), and 18% seroconverted to three serotypes (exclusively to serotypes 1, 3, and 4). No infant seroconverted to serotype 2 or to the heterologous (bovine) serotype 6.