A study of diarrhoea among children in eastern Nepal with special reference to rotavirus.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To examine the incidence of Rotavirus infection in children below five years of age. METHODS: Faecal samples from 160 children under five years of age with acute gastroenteritis were collected over a period of one year from July 1999 to June 2000. These were studied for the presence of Rotavirus antigen by enzyme immuno assay (EIA). RESULTS: Rota antigen could be detected in 62 (38.7%) samples. Co-infection with other parasites or bacterial pathogens in presence of Rota antigen was also demonstrated. Forty one (66.4%) children were admitted for hospital care. Forty two samples positive by EIA were further tested by latex agglutination (LA) to consider introducing this test routinely in clinical laboratory. Although a rapid and convenient test, LA failed to demonstrate antigen in 15 (35.6%) of the samples. CONCLUSIONS: Rotavirus infection of children in Nepal is reported for the first time. EIA was found to be more sensitive than LA for the detection of Rotavirus antigen in faecal samples.