Human Astrovirus Gastroenteritis in Children in Madagascar
Author Information
Author(s): Papaventsis Dimitrios C., Dove Winifred, Cunliffe Nigel A., Nakagomi Osamu, Combe Patrice, Grosjean Pierre, Hart C. Anthony
Primary Institution: University of Liverpool
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of human astrovirus infections among children with acute gastroenteritis in Madagascar?
Conclusion
The study found that human astrovirus was detected in 2.1% of children with gastroenteritis in Antananarivo, establishing it as the third most commonly detected enteric virus in this population.
Supporting Evidence
- 5 HAstV isolates were detected in fecal samples from 237 children.
- 85% of the children were under 3 years old.
- HAstVs were detected throughout the year.
- Two co-infections with G2P[4] rotavirus were confirmed.
- Phylogenetic analysis showed the cocirculation of usual and unusual HAstVs.
Takeaway
The study looked at sick kids in Madagascar and found that a virus called astrovirus was making some of them sick, but not very many.
Methodology
Fecal samples were collected from children with acute gastroenteritis and screened for astrovirus using reverse transcription–PCR.
Limitations
The small number of isolates detected limited the ability to determine seasonal patterns of HAstV infections.
Participant Demographics
The study included 237 children, with 142 boys and 95 girls, and a median age of 20 months.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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