Coronavirus-like particles as aetiological agents of acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis in humans

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Quantifying Human Norovirus Virus-like Particles Binding to Commensal Bacteria Using Flow Cytometry
07:02

Quantifying Human Norovirus Virus-like Particles Binding to Commensal Bacteria Using Flow Cytometry

Published on: April 29, 2020

G Maass, H G Baumeister

    Developments in Biological Standardization
    |January 1, 1983
    PubMed

    Insights

    Coronavirus-like particles in infant feces resemble human coronaviruses. These particles are more frequent in sick infants with gastroenteritis, suggesting a link, but their role in adult gastroenteritis is unclear.

    Area of Science:

    • Virology
    • Pediatrics
    • Gastroenterology

    Background:

    • Human coronaviruses are known pathogens.
    • Acute gastroenteritis is a common illness in infants and adults.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the morphology and prevalence of coronavirus-like particles in neonates and infants with acute gastroenteritis.
    • To compare the detection frequency in sick versus healthy children and adults.

    Main Methods:

    • Morphological analysis of coronavirus-like particles in fecal extracts.
    • Detection of particles in fecal samples from neonates, infants, and adults (both diseased and healthy).

    Main Results:

    • Coronavirus-like particles in sick infants showed morphological similarities to human coronaviruses.
    • These particles were detected more frequently in sick neonates and infants than in healthy children.
    • The particles were found with similar frequency in both diseased and healthy adults.

    Conclusions:

    • Coronavirus-like particles may be associated with acute gastroenteritis in neonates and infants.
    • The clinical significance of enteric coronavirus-like particles in adult acute gastroenteritis remains uncertain.

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