[Detection of rotavirus in the stools of infants aged 0-3 yr (study performed from July 1987 to May 1989)].

Abstract

301 stools were collected during a period of 2 years from children aged 0-3 years, most of them presenting an acute gastro-enteritis; search for rotavirus was carried out using ELISA and latex techniques, together with coproculture. 44 stools were positive (14.61%), 18.68% of these positive cases were in the age groups 0-6 months. The rotavirus gastro-enteritis affects boys (63.63%) two times more often than girls. It is frequent in hospitals (20.51% of all cases). The coproculture shows that about 14% of diarrhoeas are of bacterial origin. Thus, our study demonstrates that viral diarrhoeas are as frequent as the bacterial ones. The combination of both has been found in two cases. Our study shows also that a high incidence of rotavirus diarrhoea is found during spring (18.18%). The latex technique is 18.51% less sensitive than ELISA; however, it has the advantages of simplicity, rapidity and low cost.