Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 10, 2025
Assays for the Specific Growth Rate and Cell-binding Ability of Rotavirus
Published on: January 28, 2019
Rotavirus and illness severity in children presenting with acute gastroenteritis at the primary care out-of-hours
Pien Wolters1, G A Holtman1, A A H Weghorst1
1Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Insights
Rotavirus is common in Dutch children with acute gastroenteritis, but this study found it does not increase illness severity or referral rates. This finding is important for understanding rotavirus in unvaccinated populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in young children.
- Vaccination against rotavirus is not yet implemented in the Netherlands.
- Understanding rotavirus prevalence and impact is crucial for public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of rotavirus in children with acute gastroenteritis.
- To evaluate if rotavirus infection influences the severity of illness.
- To assess referral rates for children with acute gastroenteritis based on viral presence.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study of 75 children (6 months to 6 years) with acute gastroenteritis.
- Faecal samples analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction for viral pathogens.
- Severity defined by Modified Vesikari Score (≥11); referral rates were also assessed.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus prevalence was high at 65.3% in the study cohort.
- No significant difference in severe acute gastroenteritis course was observed between rotavirus-positive and rotavirus-negative children (OR 0.88).
- Referral rates were similar for both groups (15.2% vs 14.3%).
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus is a prevalent pathogen in Dutch children presenting with acute gastroenteritis to primary care.
- Rotavirus infection was not associated with increased illness severity or higher referral rates in this unvaccinated population.
- Findings suggest that rotavirus, while common, may not be a primary driver of severe outcomes in this context.
Background:
Rotavirus is a common cause of acute gastroenteritis in young children in the Netherlands, where rotavirus vaccination has not yet been implemented.
Objectives:
To evaluate a difference in illness severity course depending on the presence of rotavirus infection and assess the prevalence of viruses and the referral rate in children with acute gastroenteritis.
Methods:
A prospective cohort of children aged 6 months to 6 years presenting with acute gastroenteritis to a primary care out-of-hours service from October 2016 to March 2018. Faeces were sampled and sent to a laboratory where viral pathogens were identified and quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Severe course of acute gastroenteritis was defined as a Modified Vesikari Score of ≥11. In addition, we assessed referral rates. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate differences between groups.
Results:
We included 75 children (34 boys) with a median age of 1.5 years (interquartile range, 0.9-2.0 years). The prevalence of rotavirus was 65.3% (95% confidence interval, 53.5-76.0) with a median cycle threshold of 16.0. Severe course of acute gastroenteritis was present in 31 of 71 children (4 were lost to follow-up). Those with rotavirus (20/47) did not have a severe course more often than those without (11/24): odds ratio, 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.33-2.36). Referral rates were comparable for rotavirus (15.2%) and non-rotavirus (14.3%).
Conclusion:
In out-of-hours primary care, rotavirus is common but not associated with increased severity and higher referral rates in children with acute gastroenteritis.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Pathophysiology of Vomiting
01:30Acute Pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause:
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
01:30Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
01:23Gastritis III: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical manifestations of acute gastritis
The patient with acute gastritis may have a rapid onset of symptoms, such as epigastric pain or discomfort, dyspepsia, anorexia, hiccups, or nausea and vomiting, which can last from a few hours to a few days. Erosive or hemorrhagic gastritis may cause bleeding, which may manifest as blood in vomit or as...
01:30Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care