title: Incidence of human calicivirus and rotavirus infection in patients with gastroenteritis in South Africa.
abstract: Human caliciviruses (HuCVs) are reportedly responsible for 2.5-4% of nonbacterial sporadic gastroenteritis. The incidence of HuCV infection in South Africa is unknown. Stool specimens from 1,296 South African patients with sporadic gastroenteritis were screened for the presence of HuCVs using electron microscopy, recombinant enzyme immunoassays for Norwalk (NV) and Mexican (MX) viruses, and the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RT-PCR products were sequenced to ascertain which HuCV genogroups were present. HuCVs were detected in 43/1,296 (3.3%) specimens examined, with RT-PCR proving to be the most sensitive detection method. Genetic analysis of the isolates indicated that 81% were Snow Mountain Agent, or MX-like; 8% were NV-like; and 11% were HuCV/Sapporo-like. This study indicates that a combination of assays is needed for the accurate detection of HuCVs. Comparative data on hospitalised patients showed that the incidence of rotavirus infection was approximately ten times greater than that of HuCV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolfaardt
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Booysen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Engelbrecht
authors.forename: W O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Grabow
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009663:Norwalk virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D013019:South Africa