Prevalence of antibodies to astrovirus types 1 and 3 in children and adolescents in Norfolk, Virginia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of antibody to human astrovirus types 1 (HAstV-1) and 3 (HAstV-3) in children.


METHODS
Sera from children hospitalized in Norfolk, VA, for noninfectious conditions were collected for a 1-month period every 6 months from 1993 to 1996 and tested by enzyme immunoassay for antibody to HAstV-1 and HAstV-3 with the use of baculovirus-expressed recombinant capsid proteins as antigens.


RESULTS
The seroprevalence of 393 infants and children to HAstV-1 decreased from 67% in infants <3 months of age to 7% by 6 to 8 months of age, consistent with loss of transplacental antibodies. Children acquired HAstV-1 antibody with a peak prevalence of 94% at 6 to 9 years of age (P < 0.001). Antibodies to HAstV-3 exhibited a lower prevalence, with 26% positive at <3 months, 0% at 6 to 11 months and 42% by 6 to 9 years of age. HAstV-1 seroprevalence in children O to 2 months of age decreased from 89% in November, 1993, to 40% in November, 1996 (P = 0.009).


CONCLUSIONS
Astrovirus type-specific antibody prevalence can be measured by baculovirus-expressed capsid antigens in an enzyme immunoassay. Children developed antibody to HAstV-1 (94%) and to HAstV-3 (42%) by 6 to 9 years of age indicating frequent exposure to these enteric viruses in infancy and early childhood.
Mitchell
D K
DK
Center for Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, USA.
Matson
D O
DO
Cubitt
W D
WD
Jackson
L J
LJ
Willcocks
M M
MM
Pickering
L K
LK
Carter
M J
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002213:Capsid / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D001257:Mamastrovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins