ROLE OF VIRUSES IN ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS IN INFANTS AND YOUNG-CHILDREN AT VELLORE, SOUTH-INDIA

The aetiological contribution of viral agents in the causation of acut e diarrhoea was studied prospectively in 915 infants and young childre n aged 1-35 months, This was a hospital-based study, selection being c arried out by proportionate random sampling; 587 matched controls were also investigated simultaneously, Methods of detection included direc t electron microscopy, ELISA for rotaviruses and immune electron micro scopy, Rotaviruses emerged as the single most important cause with hig hest prevalence in the 6-11-month age group, The contribution of other agents was negligible, Electron microscopy, though a 'catch-all' tech nique, is not a cost-effective diagnostic method for developing countr ies.