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Potential spectrum of etiological agents of viral enteritis in hospitalized infants
Abstract:
Fecal specimens were obtained from 1,160 infants and young children with acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis over a period of 2 years. A total of 100 specimens were obtained from age-matched asymptomatic controls. The specimens were examined for the presence of viruses by electron microscopy. Viruses or virus-like particles frequently associated with enteritis were detected in 27% (314 of 1,160) of the symptomatic patients. No viruses or virus-like particles were detected in the 100 control subjects. Rotavirus was detected in 73% (230 of 314) of the virus-positive samples. The mean age of rotavirus-positive patients was 11.5 months, although the patients ranged in age from 2 weeks to 5 years. Of the symptomatic patients, 45 (14%) exhibited small virus-like particles (15 to 40 nm) in the feces in the absence of any other detectable pathogen. Some of the virus-like particles observed in these patients appeared to be similar to astrovirus, and some appeared to be similar to the Otofuke agent or possibly minireovirus. Significantly, however, the mean age of infants with enteritis from whom these small virus-like particles were recovered was 4.5 months (range, 10 days to 19 months). Our findings confirmed the already-known fact that rotaviruses constitute the most important cause of viral enteritis in young children. In addition, small viruses may be an important cause of gastroenteritis in infants under 5 months of age.
Insights
Rotaviruses are the primary cause of viral gastroenteritis in young children. However, smaller viruses may be significant in infants under five months old, indicating a need for further research into infant enteritis causes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis is a common illness in infants and young children.
- Identifying causative viral agents is crucial for understanding and managing pediatric enteritis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the viral etiology of acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis in a cohort of infants and young children.
- To determine the prevalence of rotavirus and other potential viral pathogens in symptomatic children compared to asymptomatic controls.
Main Methods:
- Fecal specimens from 1,160 children with gastroenteritis and 100 controls were analyzed using electron microscopy.
- Detection of viruses and virus-like particles was performed to identify causative agents of enteritis.
Main Results:
- Viruses were detected in 27% of symptomatic children, with no viruses found in controls.
- Rotavirus was identified in 73% of virus-positive cases, predominantly in children aged 11.5 months.
- Small virus-like particles, potentially astrovirus or minireovirus, were found in 14% of symptomatic cases, particularly in infants under 5 months.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus is confirmed as the leading cause of viral enteritis in young children.
- Undetected small viruses may represent a significant cause of gastroenteritis in infants younger than five months of age.