Rotavirus and non-bacterial infantile gastroenteritis in Kuwait

The role of rotavirus in non-bacterial gastroenteritis in Kuwait was investigated. Employing electronmicroscopy (EM) and enzyme-linked-immuno-sorbent-assay (ELISA) techniques, the virus was detected in the stools of 42 of 274 (15.3%) infants with the disease. A statistically significant association (P less than 0.05) was found between virus excretion and age since 37 of 42 (88.1%) of rotavirus positive cases were aged 2-12 months. 57.1% of all rotaviruses detected were among specimens collected during the first 3 days since onset of clinical symptoms. In addition a highly significant relationship (P less than 0.01) was found between virus excretion and seasonal variation since highest virus excretion rates (76.1%) were detected in specimens collected during the autumn and early winter months, and coincided with the annual gastroenteritis season in Kuwait. Diarrhoea and vomiting were the most frequently encountered clinical symptoms being present in 92.9% and 76.2% of all rotavirus positive patients, respectively.