Variance in rotavirus infection rates in different urban population groups in South Africa

Abstract

Rotavirus infection in black infants contrasts markedly with that of white infants in being much less common and showing no seasonal variation. In this multicentre study in Johannesburg, the aetiology of winter infantile gastroenteritis in black, coloured, and white infants was investigated. Stools were examined by electron microscopy and also by enzyme-immunoassay to detect subparticular antigen which may be missed by electron microscopy in patients presenting late in the course of the illness. Stools were also examined bacteriologically by conventional techniques. Rotavirus was the most common pathogen in all three population groups with bacteria playing a relatively minor role. Striking differences were observed in the rotavirus rates between the three groups. Infection in the whites was five times more common than in the blacks (60% versus 12%) with the coloureds intermediate at 40%. The hypothesis was put forward that the relative protection of the black population may be due to a greater degree of colonization of neonates, thus inducing protection against symptomatic infection at the target age of 6 to 24 months. This may well have important implications in immunoprophylaxis. The reason for the lack of seasonal variation in the black population is still unclear.

Characterization of rotaviruses and subgroup F adenoviruses from acute summer gastroenteritis in South Africa

“…However, presentation late after onset is often a problem in this population and may distort the true prevalence of infection in winter. Nevertheless, low rates of rotavirus shedding in winter have been consistently demonstrated in subsequent studies [Schoub et al, 1982;Turnbull et al, manuscript in preparation].…”

An Enveloped Virus in Stools of Children and Adults With Gastroenteritis That Resembles the Breda Virus of Calves

“…These sera were tested, together with a control serum, to see whether they would agglutinate particles from children. Similarly, sera taken in the acute phase and in convalescence from 4 Bordeaux patients in whose faeces Breda-like Some 20 nm projections can be seen on this particle as well as the shorter ones. x250 000.…”

Human viral gastroenteritis.

“…In some tropical countries, including Nigeria (282), southern India (235), Bangladesh (20), Indonesia (336), Ecuador (348), and Costa Rica (152), rotavirus infections tend to peak during the dry season. However, no distinct seasonal variation occurred in other reports from tropical countries, including Ecuador (345) and Venezuela (80) and, in certain reports, South Africa (323). Thus dryness may have some effect on the spread of the virus, although in some tropical countries any variation in temperature and humidity may be too slight to be of any significance.…”

“…These worldwide reports of the high incidence of rotavirus infection have come from urban populations. However, the incidence of rotavirus infection appears to be somewhat lower or absent in patients from rural areas as reported from Australia and South Africa (89,(321)(322)(323). There may be several reasons for this.…”