Astrovirus infection in children living in the Central West region of Brazil
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
; 102(2): 209-213, Mar. 2007. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-447560
Responsible library:
BR1.1
ABSTRACT
This study presents data regarding the circulation of astrovirus in Goiânia-GO and Brasília-DF. These viruses were detected in fecal samples from hospitalized children up to five years old with and without acute gastroenteritis. A total of 1244 fecal samples were collected in two periods, 1994 to 1996 (Brasília) and 1998 to 2002 (Goiânia and Brasília), and were analyzed for viral RNA using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Positivity rates of 4.3 and 0.5 percent for astrovirus were observed in children with acute gastroenteritis and those without gastroenteritis, respectively. Among children with gastroenteritis no statistically significant difference was seen with regards to viral positivity rates in relation to gender and age. However, a higher incidence rate was observed for children from Brasília aged 36 months or more. Overall, astroviruses occurred predominantly from September to March in the two cities, suggesting a seasonal pattern for these viruses which coincides with the highest relative air humidity period. The results of this study highlight the importance of astrovirus as an etiologic agent of acute gastroenteritis in children of the Central West region of Brazil.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Health context:
Neglected Diseases
Health problem:
Diarrhea
/
Neglected Diseases
Database:
LILACS
Main subject:
Mamastrovirus
/
Astroviridae Infections
/
Gastroenteritis
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Incidence study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
/
Infant, Newborn
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
Journal subject:
Tropical Medicine
/
Parasitology
Year:
2007
Document type:
Article
/
Project document
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Fiocruz/BR
/
Instituto de Ciências Biológicas/BR
/
Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública/BR
/
Instituto de Saúde do Distrito Federal/BR
/
Universidade Federal de Goiás/BR