Epidemiologic Association Between FUT2 Secretor Status and Severe Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Children in the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

A genetic polymorphism affecting FUT2 secretor status in approximately one-quarter of humans of European descent affects the expression of histo-blood group antigens on the mucosal epithelia of human respiratory, genitourinary, and digestive tracts. These histo-blood group antigens serve as host receptor sites necessary for attachment and infection of some pathogens, including norovirus.

Objective

We investigated whether an association exists between FUT2 secretor status and laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infections in US children.

Design, setting, and participants

Multicenter case-control observational study involving active surveillance at 6 US pediatric medical institutions in the inpatient and emergency department clinical settings. We enrolled 1564 chi

SUBMITTER: Payne DC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4856001 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature