Detection and genotyping of human adenovirus and sapovirus in children with acute gastroenteritis in Belém, Pará, between 1990 and 1992: first detection of GI. 7 and GV. 2 sapoviruses in Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality, especially among children from developing countries. Human adenovirus (HAdV) and sapovirus (SaV) are among the agents that cause AGE. The present study aimed to detect and genotype HAdV and SaV in 172 fecal samples from children with AGE, collected during a surveillance study carried out in a low-income community in Belém, Pará, between 1990 and 1992. METHODS: HAdV was detected by nested PCR, using primers Hex1deg/Hex2deg and NeHex3deg/NeHex4deg. SaV was assayed by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), nested PCR, and quantitative PCR. The nucleotide sequence was determined by direct cycle sequencing. RESULTS: Overall, 43% (74/172) of samples were positive for HAdV, of which 70.3% (52/74) were sequenced and classified as belonging to five different species, mostly A and F. For SaV, positivity was 5.2% (9/172) and genotypes GI.1, GI.7, GII.1, and GV.2 were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The present results reinforce the need for further studies to obtain epidemiological data about the circulation of these viruses in Brazil, especially in the Amazon Region, where data from the early 1990's are scarce. Furthermore, the study describes for the first time the detection of SaV genotypes GI.7 and GV.2 in Brazil, showing that these types circulated in the region more than 25 years ago.

Clinical importance of hyperamylasemia during acute gastroenteritis

To evaluate the incidence and the clinical significance of hyperamylasemia in adult patients with acute gastroenteritis. 140 adult patients were admitted to medical/ surgical ward in Prince Zaid Ben Al-Hussein hospital in the south of Jordan. The clinical significance of hyperamylasemia, related predisposing factors and severity of gastroenteritis were assessed. Hyperamylasemia was detected in 45 patients [32%]. Although hyperamylasemia was found over three times the normal values in 22 cases. The clinical features of acute pancreatitis were recorded in only one case [0.02%] Patients with hyperamylasemia had more severe gastroenteritis with an increased incidence of fever [75% vs. 45%] dehydration [27%vs. 9%] and a higher mean number of evacuations per day [8.5vs 4.5] than those with amylase level in the normal range. Hyperamylasemia was significantly associated with cholelithiasis [35.0% vs. 10.5%] and chronic gastritis or duodenal ulceration [27.0%vs 8.3%]. Although hyperamylasemia is associated with severe acute gastroenteritis, acute pancreatitis in the setting of acute gastroenteritis is a rare event