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Rotavirus, adenovirus, and non-viral enteropathogens in diarrhoea
Insights
Rotavirus is a common cause of acute gastroenteritis in children, identified in 49% of cases. This study also investigated adenovirus and bacterial infections, finding rotavirus frequently linked to antibiotic-induced diarrhea.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acute gastroenteritis is a significant cause of childhood illness.
- Rotavirus and adenovirus are common viral pathogens implicated in gastroenteritis.
- Understanding the specific etiology is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the etiological role of rotavirus and adenovirus in acute gastroenteritis among children.
- To investigate the co-occurrence of viral and bacterial infections.
- To explore potential associations with respiratory symptoms and antibiotic use.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 283 children admitted with diarrhea over one year.
- Stool specimen analysis using solid-phase radioimmunoassay, electron microscopy, and serology for viral detection.
- Radioimmunoassay used for adenovirus detection.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus was detected in 49% of cases; adenovirus in 11%.
- Eight cases showed possible dual rotavirus and adenovirus infection.
- Enteropathogenic bacteria were found in 10% of cases, with no strong association with rotavirus.
- Respiratory symptoms were common but not specifically linked to rotavirus.
- Antibiotic use prior to diarrhea was higher in non-viral cases.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus is a primary cause of acute gastroenteritis in the studied pediatric population.
- Adenovirus played a lesser role, and dual infections were possible but not frequent.
- No distinct 'rotavirus syndrome' or specific association with respiratory symptoms was confirmed.
- Rotavirus infections were notably common in cases of 'antibiotic-induced' diarrhea.
Abstract:
The aetiology of rotavirus and adenovirus in acute gastroenteritis was studied in a prospective series that comprised 283 children admitted consecutively with diarrhoea during a 1-year period. Rotavirus was associated in 49% of the cases by solid-phase radioimmunoassay and electron microscopical examination of stool specimens, or by serology. Adenovirus was detected by radioimmunoassay in the stool specimens of 29 (11%) patients, including 8 cases of possible dual infection with rotavirus. Rotavirus infections showed a typical age distribution and seasonal clustering between January and June, whereas the adenovirus-associated cases did not form a distinctive subgroup. Enteropathogenic bacteria were found in 10% of cases, and were nearly as common in association with rotavirus infection as not. Respiratory symptoms accompanied diarrhoea in 34% of the patients with rotavirus and in 25% of those with neither rotavirus nor adenovirus. Therefore we could not confirm the existence of a 'rotavirus syndrome', nor could we confirm an association of respiratory symptoms with rotavirus infection. Use of antibiotics before the onset of diarrhoea was more common among those with non-viral diarrhoea (23%) than in the rotavirus group (13%). Rotavirus infections appeared to be common among cases of 'antibiotic-induced' diarrhoea.