Detection of caliciviruses associated with acute infantile gastroenteritis in Salvador, an urban center in Northeast Brazil

M.P.T.P Xavier,A Strina,M Victoria,S.A Oliveira,M.F.M Silva,M.S.R Ferreira,M.L Barreto,V Miranda,M.P Miagostovicht,J.P.G Leite

doi:10.1590/s0100-879x2009000500007

Abstract

Acute gastroenteritis caused by viruses is one of the leading causes of infantile morbidity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of human caliciviruses of the genera norovirus and sapovirus in children up to 3 years of age with acute gastroenteritis from low-income communities in the city of Salvador, Brazil. This study is an extension of previous work carried out to establish the profile of the most prevalent enteric pathogens present in these communities. In this report, 139 fecal samples, collected from July 2001 to January 2002 were analyzed by RT-PCR and 13 (9%) were positive for human caliciviruses. By sequencing, seven isolates were characterized as norovirus genogroup GII and one as sapovirus genotype GII/1. Sequencing of the previously detected group-A rotaviruses and human astroviruses was also performed and revealed the circulation of rotavirus group A genotypes G1P[8] and G9P[8], and human astrovirus genotypes 6, 7, and 8. No mixed infection was observed. Community-based studies provide geographically representative information on disease burden. However, there are only a few reports in developing countries concerning the genotypes of the most important gastroenteric viruses detected in such communities. The present findings demonstrate the wide diversity of genotypes of the most important viruses responsible for acute gastroenteritis circulating in low-income communities.

Highlights

Diarrheal diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and occur most often in children up to 5 years of age [1,2]
The viruses that have been associated with gastroenteritis are: group A rotavirus (RV-A), human caliciviruses (HuCaVs), human astroviruses (HAstVs), and human adenoviruses (HAdVs)
Viral gastroenteritis is a common disease in humans and involves children and elderly people worldwide

Summary

Introduction

Diarrheal diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and occur most often in children up to 5 years of age [1,2]. The viruses that have been associated with gastroenteritis are: group A rotavirus (RV-A), human caliciviruses (HuCaVs) (noroviruses [NoVs] and sapoviruses [SaVs]), human astroviruses (HAstVs), and human adenoviruses (HAdVs). These viruses mostly affect children in the first years of life and have been described as common causes of gastroenteritis especially in countries where there are large differences between the social classes in terms of hygiene and the quality of water, food, and sanitation [3]. Norovirus and sapovirus are two genera belonging to the Caliciviridae family, which infect humans They are small non-enveloped viruses with icosahedral symmetry that contain a single-strand-positive sense RNA [4].

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