Related Experiment Videos
Duration and pattern of asymptomatic rotavirus shedding by hospitalized children
J J Eiden1, D G Verleur, S L Vonderfecht
1Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Insights
Asymptomatic rotavirus shedding is common in infants and children, with frequent recurrences possibly due to reinfection with different strains. This shedding may play a significant role in rotavirus transmission.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Fecal shedding of rotaviruses in asymptomatic individuals is a recent finding.
- Limited data exists on the duration and frequency of rotavirus shedding in these patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate rotavirus shedding in hospitalized infants and children without gastrointestinal symptoms.
- To determine the frequency and duration of asymptomatic rotavirus shedding.
Main Methods:
- Collection of repeated fecal specimens from 16 hospitalized infants and children.
- Examination of specimens using immunoassay, electron microscopy, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Main Results:
- Asymptomatic rotavirus shedding was detected in all 16 patients.
- Multiple shedding episodes (over 1) were observed in 15 patients.
- Electropherotype analysis suggested reinfection with different rotavirus strains in some cases.
Conclusions:
- Asymptomatic rotavirus shedding is prevalent and can be recurrent in infants and children.
- Reinfection with diverse rotavirus strains may contribute to prolonged or repeated shedding.
- The role of asymptomatic shedding in rotavirus transmission, especially in nosocomial settings, warrants further investigation.
Abstract:
Fecal shedding of rotaviruses by infants and children without gastrointestinal symptoms has recently been recognized, but little is known about the duration or frequency of virus shedding in such patients. We therefore evaluated rotavirus shedding by 16 infants and children during the course of their prolonged hospitalizations. Repeated fecal specimens were obtained from these patients and examined for the presence of rotavirus by means of immunoassay, electron microscopy and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Asymptomatic rotavirus shedding was observed in each of the 16 patients, and more than 1 episode of virus excretion was detected in 15 of these. Electropherotype analysis indicated that some of these episodes were probably the result of reinfection with different strains of rotavirus. Asymptomatic shedding may be important in transmission of rotaviruses. Its role should be taken into consideration in future investigations of the epidemiology and control of this nosocomial pathogen.