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Infantile gastroenteritis: a clinical study of reovirus-like agent infection
Abstract:
In a clinical study of 32 infants with symptoms from infections with the human reovirus-like agent (R.I.A.) identified by electron microscopy (E.M.) of faecal extracts, a fairly consistent clinical pattern was found in 30 who had a gastroenteritis-like illness. The disease was usually mild, affecting mainly infants less than 2 years and males more commonly than females. The incubation period appeared to be 48-72 hours; and the onset was sudden, often with vomiting in the first 1-2 days of the illness. Loose yellow-green offensive stools without blood or mucus developed after a variable time, and there was often accompanying fever. Severe dehydration and electrolyte inbalance were uncommon; and with standard treatment the illness was uncomplicated, usually lasting 5-8 days. These features resemble those of previously reported winter epidemics of infantile non-bacterial gastroenteritis, and it is suggested that these epidemics were due to R.L.A. 2 infants in whom R.L.A. was identified in the stool did not have a gastroenteritis-like illness although both had protracted diarrhoea.
Insights
Human reovirus-like agent (R.I.A.) infections commonly cause mild infantile gastroenteritis in infants under two years old. Most cases present with vomiting, fever, and diarrhea, typically resolving within a week.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Infantile gastroenteritis is a common illness in young children.
- Previous studies have suggested viral agents are responsible for non-bacterial gastroenteritis epidemics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the causative agent of infantile gastroenteritis.
- To describe the clinical pattern of human reovirus-like agent (R.I.A.) infections in infants.
Main Methods:
- Clinical study of 32 infants with symptoms of infection.
- Identification of R.I.A. using electron microscopy (E.M.) of fecal extracts.
Main Results:
- R.I.A. was identified in 32 infants, with 30 exhibiting a gastroenteritis-like illness.
- The illness was typically mild, affecting males more than females under two years old.
- Common symptoms included sudden onset vomiting, fever, and loose stools; severe dehydration was uncommon.
Conclusions:
- Human reovirus-like agent (R.I.A.) is a likely cause of infantile gastroenteritis epidemics.
- The clinical presentation of R.I.A. infection is consistent with previously described non-bacterial gastroenteritis.
- Two infants with R.I.A. had protracted diarrhea without typical gastroenteritis symptoms.