Enteric virus infections and diarrhea in healthy and human immunodeficiency virus-infected children

Forty-three stool samples from 27 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropo sitive children and 38 samples from 38 HIV-negative children, collected dur ing a 15-month period, were examined for enteric viruses. Diagnostic assays included enzyme immunoassays for rotavirus, adenovirus, and Norwalk virus; polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for picobirnavirus and atypical rotavir us; and PCR for astrovirus and enterovirus. Specimens from HIV-positive chi ldren were more likely than those of HIV-negative children to have enterovi rus (56 versus 21%; P < 0.0002) and astrovirus (12 versus 0%; P < 0.02), bu t not rotavirus (5 versus 8%; P > 0.5). No adenoviruses, picobirnaviruses, or Norwalk viruses were found. The rates of virus-associated diarrhea were similar among HIV-positive and HIV-negative children. Enteroviruses were ex creted for up to 6 months in HIV-positive children; however, no evidence fo r prolonged excretion of poliovirus vaccine was observed. These results sug gest that although infection with enterovirus and astrovirus may be frequen t in HIV-infected children, enteric viruses are not associated with the dia rrhea frequently suffered by these children.