Abstract
We investigated an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis due to human astrovirus in a daycare center, describing the transmission mechanism, the most affected age groups, conditioning factors and the extent of the outbreak among household contacts of the daycare center attenders. Data were collected from persons exposed at the daycare center and their home contacts. Fecal samples from affected and non-affected daycare center attenders were analyzed for viruses causing acute gastroenteritis by RT-PCR. The percentage of households affected and the attack rates (AR) were calculated. The attack rates were compared using the rate ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals. Information was obtained from 245 people (76 attenders and 169 contacts) of whom 49 were clinical cases. Five HAstV-4, two HAstV-8 and three non-typable HAstV cases were identified (six from clinical cases and four from asymptomatic infected people). The global AR was 20% (41.2% in children aged < 2 years). Data were obtained from 67 households: 20 households of affected attenders and 47 of non-affected attendees. Household contacts of affected attenders had a higher AR (74.3%) than that of non-affected attendees (2.4%). We found asymptomatic infections amongst daycare attendees. The transmission of HAstV during the outbreak was not limited to the daycare center but extended to household contacts of both affected and non-affected attenders.
Highlights
Human astroviruses (HAstV)-1 is the most-frequently detected serotype worldwide [1,8,9], other serotypes have occasionally been shown to be more prevalent in some geographical areas [4]
The epidemic period was defined as 1 February to 12 March 2017, and a clinical case was defined as any person in the daycare center or their household contacts who initiated symptoms of nausea, vomiting or diarrhea during the epidemic period
76daycare daycarecenter center attenders children workers) responded to survey, representing of those exposed, and information was obtained from the survey, representing 61.8% of those exposed, and information was obtained from 169 household household contacts
Summary
Human astroviruses (HAstV) are non-enveloped RNA viruses that cause up to 10% of sporadic cases of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children aged < 3 years [1,2,3] and are the third or fourth cause of viral AGE in children of this age [4,5,6,7]. Eight serotypes (HAstV-1 to HAstV-8) of HAstV are known to cause gastroenteritis. HAstV-1 is the most-frequently detected serotype worldwide [1,8,9], other serotypes have occasionally been shown to be more prevalent in some geographical areas [4]. Infection with one serotype seems not to confer immunity against other serotypes [3]. Astroviruses cause outbreaks, especially in healthcare [12,13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
