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Journal of Tropical Pediatrics Advance Access originally published online on February 17, 2007
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 2007 53(3):206-209; doi:10.1093/tropej/fml093
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© The Author [2007]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Brief Reports

Astrovirus Infection in Young Kenyan Children with Diarrhoea

Nicholas M. Kiuliaa, Jason M. Mwendaa, Atunga Nyachieoa, Julia K. Nyaundia, Andrew D. Steelec and Maureen B. Taylorb

aInstitute of Primate Research, P.O. Box 24481-00502, Karen, Nairobi, Kenya
bDepartment of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria/National Health Laboratory Service, Tshwane Academic Division (NHLS TAD), P.O. Box 2034, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
cM edical Research Council (MRC), Diarrhoeal Pathogens Research Unit, MEDUNSA Campus, University of Limpopo, P.O. Box 173, Medunsa, 0204, South Africa

Correspondence: Dr Jason M. Mwenda, Institute of Primate Research, P. O. Box 24481-00502, Karen, Nairobi, Kenya. E-mail < jmmathiu{at}yahoo.co.uk>.


  Abstract

Human astroviruses (HAstV) have been commonly identified worldwide as important aetiological agents of acute gastroenteritis in all age groups including the young, elderly and immunocompromised. However, limited data exist on the prevalence of this important pathogen in Kenya. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the prevalence of astrovirus (AstV) infection in Kenyan children younger than 10 years of age with diarrhoea. During the period February 1999 to September 2005, stool samples were collected from 476 children attending clinics in Nairobi (and its environs) and the Maua Methodist Hospital, Meru North, Kenya. The faecal specimens were tested by a commercial enzyme immunoassay kit for HAstV. AstV prevalence rates were found to be 6.3%. There was significantly high prevalence of AstV infection in children ≤5 years [5.3% (25/476)] than those >5 years [0.2% (1/476)] ( p < 0.01). Also, we showed a significantly high prevalence of AstV infection in children of ≤5 years [5.8% (20/341)] in Nairobi (urban setting) as compared with those of similar age in Maua (a rural setting) [3.7% (5/135)] ( p < 0.01). This study indicates that HAstV is an important pathogen associated with diarrhoea in young Kenyan children.


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