Astrovirus-associated gastroenteritis: clinical manifestations in 45 patients

ABSTRACT

Astrovirus was detected by electron microscopy of the stools specimens from 45 children hospitalized with diarrhea over the period February 1979 to August 1982. Mean age of patients was 6.4 months [range 1-24 months]. In this series, 40 out of the 45 children [89%] had diarrhea during the period of astrovirus excretion. Vomiting was noted in 31 [69%], respiratory manifestations in 11 [24%] and mild dehydration in seven children [15.5%]. Transient monosaccharide intolerance occurred in 23 children [51%] and milk elimination responsive postenteritis enteropathy in four children [9%]. Rotavirus coexisted in 17 patients [37.7%] The clinical significance of astrovirus excretion is presented with emphasis on the role of astrovirus in nonbacterial gastroenteritis of childhood