No abstract

Rotaviruses were detected in 163 of 916 (17.8%) specimens collected from children under 3 years of age with gastroenteritis in Vellore, South India, between August 1983 and July 1985. Rotaviruses were detected throughout the study period, with a peak prevalence in December to February (winter) and June to August (southwest monsoon season). A total of 117 rotavirus strains were tested for subgroup, serotype, and rotavirus double-stranded RNA electrophoretic migration pattern; 24.8% of the strains tested were subgroup I, 69.2% were subgroup II, and 6.0% were neither subgroup I nor subgroup Il. Subgroup I and Il strains were circulating concurrently throughout the study. Of the 117 rotavirus strains, 32 (27.4%) were serotyped; 15 were serotype 1, 3 were serotype 2, 2 were serotype 3, and 12 were serotype 4. Three serotypes were circulating concurrently during the periods of peak rotavirus prevalence. In 100 of the 117 strains (85.4%) an RNA pattern was detected. One unusual subgroup I group A rotavirus with a long migration pattern and four atypical rotaviruses serologically related to group C were also detected. * Corresponding author. km inland from Madras at a height of 900 ft (274.32 m) above sea level; the climate is notable for its extreme dry heat in summer and two unreliable monsoons. Samples were tested for group, subgroup, and serotype antigens by ELISA, examined by EM, and analyzed by PAGE.

The aetiology of acute diarrhoea was investigated in 245 children less than 3 years old in a paediatric outpatient clinic in southern India. In 55% of the children organisms were found in the stools, and one quarter were infected with multiple organisms. Viruses, enteropathogenic E. coli, shigella and campylobacter species accounted for 75% of all isolates. Cholera and helminthiasis were rare, and no child had amoebiasis. Clinical findings were useful in the diagnosis of shigella and rotavirus infection only. Children with shigellosis had classical dysentery, and a greater number of stools; they were unlikely to be breast-fed, to be less than 6 months old, or to have watery stools. Rotavirus infections were characterized by vomiting. Only 20% of the 245 children had an infection which could be treated effectively with antimicrobials.

Background Acute pancreatitis is a common, yet complex, emergency surgical presentation. Multiple guidelines exist and management can vary significantly. The aim of this first UK, multicentre, prospective cohort study was to assess the variation in management of acute pancreatitis to guide resource planning and optimize treatment. Methods All patients aged greater than or equal to 18 years presenting with acute pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria, from March to April 2021 were eligible for inclusion and followed up for 30 days. Anonymized data were uploaded to a secure electronic database in line with local governance approvals. Results A total of 113 hospitals contributed data on 2580 patients, with an equal sex distribution and a mean age of 57 years. The aetiology was gallstones in 50.6 per cent, with idiopathic the next most common (22.4 per cent). In addition to the 7.6 per cent with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, 20.1 per cent of patients had a previous episode of acute pancreatitis. One in 20 patients were classed as having severe pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria. The overall mortality rate was 2.3 per cent at 30 days, but rose to one in three in the severe group. Predictors of death included male sex, increased age, and frailty; previous acute pancreatitis and gallstones as aetiologies were protective. Smoking status and body mass index did not affect death. Conclusion Most patients presenting with acute pancreatitis have a mild, self-limiting disease. Rates of patients with idiopathic pancreatitis are high. Recurrent attacks of pancreatitis are common, but are likely to have reduced risk of death on subsequent admissions.

No abstract