Norovirus prevalence and estimated viral load in symptomatic and asymptomatic children from rural communities of Vhembe district, South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Human Norovirus (NoV) is recognized as a major etiological agent of sporadic acute gastroenteritis worldwide.

Objectives

This study describes the clinical features associated with Human NoV occurrence in children and determines the prevalence and estimated viral burden of NoV in symptomatic and asymptomatic children in rural South Africa.

Study design

Between July 2014 and April 2015, outpatient children under 5 years of age from rural communities of Vhembe district, South Africa, were enrolled for the study. A total of 303 stool specimens were collected from those with diarrhea (n=253) and without (n=50) diarrhea. NoVs were identified using real-time one-step RT-PCR.

Results

One hundred and four (41.1%) NoVs were detected (62[59.6%] GII, 16[15.4%] G

SUBMITTER: Kabue JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5099155 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature