Astrovirus infection in South Africa: a pilot study

Astroviruses have been shown to be important aetiological agents associated with gastroenteritis in children, as have rotaviruses and the enteric aden oviruses. However, no inclusive studies have been conducted in South Africa to allow a comparison of the relative roles of these different viral agent s. In this study, stool specimens were obtained between 1991 and 1993 from 225 young children with acute gastro-enteritis. These were examined for the presence of astroviruses using a monoclonal antibody-based ELISA, and for rotaviruses and enteric adenoviruses using commercially available kits. A c ontrol group of 56 infants and young children without symptoms of diarrhoea l illness was included in the study. Astroviruses were detected in 7% of th e stools compared with 20% infected with rotaviruses and only 3% infected w ith enteric adenoviruses. In the control group, one specimen each had astro virus or adenovirus and two shed rotaviruses. The astrovirus prevalence obs erved in this study is similar to that reported in other developing communi ties. Rotavirus and astrovirus infections were more prevalent in the autumn and early winter than in other seasons. Astrovirus and rotavirus infection s predominated in children between 3 and 22 months of age.