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The human enteric coronaviruses
Insights
Coronaviruses were detected in adult and child fecal samples, though not definitively linked to gastroenteritis outbreaks. Prolonged virus shedding was observed, with limited success in laboratory propagation.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
- Public Health
Background:
- Coronaviruses are known human pathogens.
- Gastroenteritis is a common illness affecting various age groups.
- The role of coronaviruses in gastroenteritis outbreaks requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of coronavirus in fecal samples from individuals with and without diarrhea or gastroenteritis.
- To assess the potential association between coronavirus detection and gastroenteritis outbreaks.
- To study the shedding patterns and in vitro propagation of detected coronavirus strains.
Main Methods:
- Fecal samples were collected from adults with and without diarrhea, and from children and infants with gastroenteritis.
- Samples were analyzed for the presence of coronavirus using electron microscopy.
- Attempts were made to propagate one coronavirus strain in human cell cultures and organ cultures.
Main Results:
- Coronaviruses were detected in 15.0% of adults with diarrhea and 5.2% of adults without diarrhea.
- Coronaviruses were found in 2.2% of children (1-14 years) with gastroenteritis but not in infants (<1 year).
- No definitive link was established between coronavirus and 34 gastroenteritis outbreaks; however, it may have caused diarrhea in a psycho-geriatric unit. Prolonged virus excretion was noted, and serial passage in culture was unsuccessful.
Conclusions:
- Coronaviruses are present in fecal samples of individuals with and without gastrointestinal symptoms.
- While not a primary cause of widespread gastroenteritis outbreaks in this study, coronaviruses may contribute to diarrhea in specific populations.
- Further research is needed to understand the clinical significance and transmission dynamics of coronaviruses in gastrointestinal illnesses.
Abstract:
A coronarirus was seen in the faeces from 15 (4.2%) of 355 adults with diarrhoea and from 5 (5.2%) of 96 adults without diarrhoea. Similar particles were seen in the faeces from 5 (2.2%) of 227 children aged 1--14 years with gastroenteritis, but in none of those from 230 infants under one year of age with gastroenteritis. There was no evidence that the coronavirus was responsible for any of 34 outbreaks of gastroenteritis, although it possibly caused diarrhoea in patients admitted to a psycho-geriatric unit. Excretion of the virus often continued for many months. One strain was propagated in human embryo kidney monolayers and human embryo intestinal organ cultures, although serial passage could not be accomplished.