Detection of caliciviruses associated with acute infantile gastroenteritis in Salvador, an urban center in Northeast Brazil

Abstract

Acute gastroenteritis caused by viruses is one of the leading causes of infantile morbidity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of human caliciviruses of the genera norovirus and sapovirus in children up to 3 years of age with acute gastroenteritis from low-income communities in the city of Salvador, Brazil. This study is an extension of previous work carried out to establish the profile of the most prevalent enteric pathogens present in these communities. In this report, 139 fecal samples, collected from July 2001 to January 2002 were analyzed by RT-PCR and 13 (9%) were positive for human caliciviruses. By sequencing, seven isolates were characterized as norovirus genogroup GII and one as sapovirus genotype GII/1. Sequencing of the previously detected group-A rotaviruses and human astroviruses was also performed and revealed the circulation of rotavirus group A genotypes G1P[8] and G9P [8], and human astrovirus genotypes 6, 7, and 8. No mixed infection was observed. Community-based studies provide geographically representative information on disease burden. However, there are only a few reports in developing countries concerning the genotypes of the most important gastroenteric viruses detected in such communities. The present findings demonstrate the wide diversity of genotypes of the most important viruses responsible for acute gastroenteritis circulating in low-income communities.

Molecular characterization of norovirus, sapovirus and astrovirus in children with acute gastroenteritis from Belém, Pará, Brazil

“…Research on SaVs in Brazil is still limited because most of the studies use primers that are specific to NoVs. However, these viruses were detected in one sample in Salvador (0.7%) and already described in diarrheic samples collected in a hospital (5.9%) and in a health unit (3%) in Belém at percentages similar to the ones presented in this 29,40,48 work (4.9%)…”

“…This genotype was also detected in one sample from Salvador, the only 48 place in Brazil where this virus was also found . In contrast, GI-1 was the most prevalent strain in previous studies 40 conducted in Belém .…”

Characterization of rotavirus and norovirus strains: a 6-year study (2004-2009)

“…Na infância, o rotaví-rus (RV) do grupo A é considerado o agente etiológico mais importante de gastroenterite não bacteriana aguda, incluindo surtos e casos esporádicos, independentemente das melhorias no saneamento básico e procedimentos higiênicos 2 .…”

Characterization of rotavirus strains from day care centers: pre- and post-rotavirus vaccine era

“…Na infância, os rotavírus do grupo A (RVA) são considerados o agente etiológico mais importante de gastroenterite não-bacteriana aguda, inclusive surtos e casos esporádicos, independentemente das melhorias em saneamento básico e procedimentos higiênicos 2 . Os RVA são o principal agente etiológico em diarreia aguda em crianças, responsável por mais de 600.000 óbitos por ano 3 , além do significativo impacto econômico da doença causada por RVA 4 .…”