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Published on: December 3, 2011
Human polyomaviruses 10 and 11 in faecal samples from Brazilian children
Mariana S Pinheiro1, Gabriella S Mendes1, Norma Santos2
1Departamento de Virologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, CCS - Bl. I, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil.
Insights
Human polyomaviruses (HPyVs) 10 and 11 were investigated for links to childhood diarrhea in Brazil. The study found no association between these viruses in stool samples and pediatric gastroenteritis, suggesting other causes for the illness.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
- Public Health
Background:
- Human polyomaviruses (HPyVs) 10 and 11 are detected in feces, with tentative links to diarrheal disease.
- Limited data exist on HPyV distribution, persistence, pathogenesis, and association with pediatric gastroenteritis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and shedding of HPyV10 and HPyV11 in Brazilian children.
- To determine if HPyV10 and HPyV11 are associated with acute diarrhea in children.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 460 stool specimens from children with diarrhea and 106 from healthy children.
- Screening for HPyV10 and HPyV11 DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing.
- Phylogenetic analysis of detected viral strains.
Main Results:
- HPyV10 and HPyV11 were detected in 7.2% and 4.7% of stool samples, respectively.
- Prevalence was similar in children with and without diarrhea, irrespective of gender or disease severity.
- Phylogenetic analysis confirmed circulation of known HPyV10 and HPyV11 genotypes in Rio de Janeiro.
Conclusions:
- The study does not support an association between HPyV10 and HPyV11 shedding in stool and pediatric gastroenteritis.
- The presence of HPyVs in feces suggests potential fecal-oral transmission routes.
- Further research is needed to understand the role of HPyVs in human health.
Abstract:
The human polyomaviruses (HPyVs) 10 and 11 have been detected in faecal material and are tentatively associated with diarrhoeal disease. However, to date, there are insufficient data to confirm or rule out this association, or even to provide basic information about these viruses, such as how they are distributed in the population, the persistence sites and their pathogenesis. In this study, we analysed stool specimens from Brazilian children with and without acute diarrhoea to investigate the excretion of HPyV10 and HPyV11 as well as their possible associations with diarrhoea. A total of 460 stool specimens were obtained from children with acute diarrhoea of unknown aetiology, and 106 stool specimens were obtained from healthy asymptomatic children under 10 years old. Samples were collected during the periods of 1999-2006, 2010-2012 and 2016-2017, and found previously to be negative for other enteric viruses and bacteria. The specimens were screened for HPyV10 and HPyV11 DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Randomly selected positive samples were sequenced to confirm the presence of HPyV10 and HPyV11. The sequenced strains showed a percent of nucleotide identity of 93.4-99.6% and 85.5-98.9% with the reference HPyV10 and HPyV11 strains, respectively, confirming the PCR results. HPyV10 and HPyV11 were detected in 7.2% and 4.7% of the stool specimens from children with and without diarrhoea, respectively. The prevalence of both viruses was the same among children with diarrhoea and healthy children. There was also no difference between boys and girls or the degree of disease (severe, moderate or mild) among groups. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all of the genotypes described so far for HPyV10 and HPyV11 circulate in Rio de Janeiro. Our results do not support an association between HPyV10 and HPyV11 in stool samples and paediatric gastroenteritis. Nevertheless, the excretion of HPyV10 and HPyV11 in faeces indicates that faecal-oral transmission is possible.
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