title: Astrovirus infection among children with gastroenteritis in the city of Zaragoza, Spain.
abstract: The incidence of astrovirus infection in children less than 10 years of age with gastroenteritis in the city of Zaragoza, Spain, was analysed during a 12-month period. A total of 718 stool samples obtained from 534 children were examined. In 401 samples no routinely searched for pathogenic organism was detected; these specimens were then tested for the presence of astrovirus antigens. Astrovirus was detected in the samples of 15 (5.5%) patients, a detection rate similar to that recognised for Yersinia enterocolitica and Cryptosporidium spp. All children with confirmed astrovirus infection had diarrhoea (median duration, 9 days), 11 experienced loss of appetite, 5 vomiting, and 4 fever. The incidence of astrovirus infection reported here indicates that Spanish children suffering from gastroenteritis should be routinely screened for the presence of astrovirus.
authors.affiliation: Service of Microbiology, Clinic Hospital Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clavel
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rubio
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gómez-Lus
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cutillas
mesh_terms: D019350:Astroviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology