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Chronic rotavirus infection in immunodeficiency
The Journal of Pediatrics
|July 1, 1980
Summary
Rotavirus infection can be chronic in children with primary immunodeficiency diseases. Immunodeficient children with diarrhea were more likely to have rotavirus, with some experiencing prolonged illness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) impair the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections.
- Rotavirus is a common cause of gastroenteritis in children, but its behavior in immunocompromised individuals is less understood.
Observation:
- This study investigated rotavirus infection characteristics in 23 children with PIDs.
- Rotavirus was detected in 4 of 23 immunodeficient children with diarrhea, but not in asymptomatic children.
- Control children with diarrhea showed a 47.8% rotavirus infection rate.
Findings:
- Two immunodeficient patients (X-linked agammaglobulinemia and severe combined immunodeficiency) experienced chronic rotavirus infection (>6 weeks).
- Rotavirus antigen was detected in the sera of 3 of 4 symptomatic immunodeficient patients, but not in controls.
- Asymptomatic immunodeficient children did not shed rotavirus.
Implications:
- Rotavirus can cause chronic, symptomatic infections in children with PIDs.
- Detection of rotavirus antigen in serum may indicate systemic involvement in immunocompromised hosts.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering rotavirus in the differential diagnosis of diarrhea in children with PIDs.