[Rotavirus and malabsorption. Immunofluorescence microscopy studies of small intestine specimens]

Only 20% of the total of diarrheas in childhood are caused by bacteria . Compared to it, very often the causes for such diseases are viruses, especially rotavirus. The virus - localisation is known to be in enterocytes of the duodenal or jejunal mucosa. So it is probable that a destruction of villous structure linked with diminishing of enzyme activities-especially of lactase--can occur. 53 mucosa specimens were investigated from children by means of fluorescence microscopy. Cryo-cut-slices (8-10 mu) were fixed in acetone and marked with self-prepared rotavirus-hyperimmuneserum (against SA11-virus) and examined using the microscope Fluoval. The distribution of fluorescence along the villi or flat surface was semiquantitatively evaluated. All the investigated children - aged 1-15 years - had been suspected for malabsorption. In 23 of them rotavirus antigen was detected and partly a low activity of disaccharidases, especially of lactase, but also there were simultaneously 7 cases of confirmed coeliac disease in this group. So we conclude: In some patients the rotavirus infection is a complication of malabsorption syndromes; or in other cases it is an asymptomatic accidental finding in the small intestine mucosa.