Population-based prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic astrovirus infection in rural Mayan infants.
Symptomatic and asymptomatic astrovirus infection was prospectively determined in a 3-year birth cohort of Mayan infants. Stool samples from 271 infants and 268 older siblings were tested for astrovirus, adenovirus 40/41, rotavirus and Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter species. Concurrent diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or anorexia were noted. Astrovirus was detected in 164 infants (61%) and 20 siblings (7%). Rotavirus (4%) and adenovirus 40/41 (13%) were isolated less frequently. Of all diarrheal episodes reported at a visit, 26% (78/305) were associated with astrovirus; 17% (78/452) of astrovirus infections were associated with diarrhea and 9% with other symptoms. Only diarrhea was associated with astrovirus infection (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.92; P = .01). Of infants with astrovirus, 70% shed at multiple visits over a period of 2-17 weeks (median, 5). The point prevalence of astrovirus infection was significantly higher among infants than siblings (relative risk, 6.18; 95% CI, 3.93-9.72; P < .0001, chi2). Astrovirus was identified throughout the year, peaked in March and May, and decreased in September. In this population, astrovirus was the most common enteric pathogen isolated; symptomatic infection was prevalent among infants.
Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305, USA. mn.yam@forsythe.stanford.edu
Y
Y
Maldonado
M
M
Cantwell
M
M
Old
D
D
Hill
M L
ML
Sanchez
L
L
Logan
F
F
Millan-Velasco
J L
JL
Valdespino
J
J
Sepulveda
S
S
Matsui
D000257:Adenoviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D019200:Astroviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019350:Astroviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D004405:Dysentery, Bacillary / Q000175:diagnosis; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007197:Indians, Central American; D007223:Infant; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D012424:Rural Population; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D012621:Seasons