title: Viruses excreted in neonatal stools.
abstract: Faecal specimens from 122 infants in the Neonatal Unit at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital were examined by electron microscopy for the presence of virus. In total 40% of the neonates were excreting virus. Rotavirus was the commonest, found in 33.5% of the infants, with small round viruses (SRVs) found in 12.3% and adenovirus seen in 1 baby. RNA analysis of the rotavirus genome revealed a similar electrophoretype in all specimens. Most of the babies infected with rotavirus were less than 7 days old, and very little excretion occurred after 21 days of age. Only 8% of the babies excreting virus had any clinical signs of infection. Rotavirus infection appears to be endemic and SRV infection common in the Neonatal Unit at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital.
mesh_terms: D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000367:Age Factors; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000382:microbiology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014780:Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification*