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Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 2002 48(2):98-101; doi:10.1093/tropej/48.2.98
© 2002 by Oxford University Press
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Epidemiology of Astrovirus Infection in Zaria, Nigeria

G. Pennap1, C. T. Pager2, I. Peenze2, M. C. de Beer2, J. K. P. Kwaga3, W. N. Ogalla3, J. U. Umoh1 and A. D. Steele2

1 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria 2 MRC/MEDUNSA Diarrhoeal Pathogens Research Unit, Medical University of Southern Africa, Pretoria, South Africa 3 Department of Paediatrics, University Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Astrovirus has been shown to be an important aetiological agent associated with gastroenteritis in children, although few studies have been conducted in Africa. In this study, stool specimens were obtained from 375 young children less than 5 years of age with acute gastroenteritis presenting at Ahmadu Bello University Hospital, and from a control group of 122 children without diarrhoeal illness. The specimens were examined for the presence of human astroviruses using a monoclonal antibody-based ELISA (Astrovirus IDEIATM, Dako, UK). Negative staining electron microscopy was performed on specimens to confirm the presence of astrovirus particles. Astrovirus was detected in 6.7 per cent (25/375) of the diarrhoeal stools compared to 5.7 per cent (7/122) of the control specimens. Astrovirus seemed to infect older children and more than half the children were between 1 and 4 years of age (15/25). Only four children were less than 6 months old. A winter peak of shedding was observed.


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N. M. Kiulia, J. M. Mwenda, A. Nyachieo, J. K. Nyaundi, A. D. Steele, and M. B. Taylor
Astrovirus Infection in Young Kenyan Children with Diarrhoea
J Trop Pediatr, June 1, 2007; 53(3): 206 - 209.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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