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Rotavirus infection in Brazilian children with acute enteritis: a seasonal variation study
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|September 1, 1983
Insights
Rotavirus was detected in 41.8% of children hospitalized with acute enteritis in Brazil. Rotavirus showed seasonal variation, peaking in January 1982.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Acute enteritis in children is a significant health concern.
- Rotavirus is a common cause of severe diarrheal disease in infants and young children.
- Understanding rotavirus prevalence and seasonality is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of rotavirus in children with acute enteritis.
- To analyze the seasonality of rotavirus infections in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and electron microscopy (EM) were used to detect rotavirus in fecal samples.
- Fecal samples were collected from 388 hospitalized children over a 12-month period.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus was detected in 162 out of 388 children (41.8%).
- Rotavirus was present year-round but exhibited a distinct seasonal peak, with 78.1% of cases occurring in January 1982.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus is a prevalent cause of acute enteritis in hospitalized children in Porto Alegre.
- The findings highlight significant seasonal patterns in rotavirus circulation, important for timing vaccination and control strategies.
Abstract:
Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and electron microscopy (EM) were utilized to investigate the presence of rotavirus in feces of 388 children with acute enteritis hospitalized at the Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The survey covered 12 months, beginning in July 1981. There were 162 rotavirus-positive cases (41.8%). During the period of the study rotavirus was detected throughout the year, but there was a striking seasonal variation (78.1% of cases) during January 1982.