Fatal case of acute gastroenteritis with multiple viral coinfections

Abstract

We report a fatal case of acute gastroenteritis in a child with autism spectrum disorder. Multiple viral coinfections were detected by PCR in the patient's stool and digestive biopsy specimens. As viral detection is not necessarily associated with symptomatic disease, a semi-quantitative approach using cycle treshold values was proposed for the clinical interpretation of PCR. We discuss whether concomitant viral infections could be a risk factor for severe outcome in gastroenteritis cases. Individual risk factors are also addressed.

Histo-blood group antigens of glycosphingolipids predict susceptibility of human intestinal enteroids to norovirus infection

“…4B). It is clear from HuNoV infections in HIEs that the GII.4 genotype prefers to replicate in secretor-positive cells (19). Our findings from overlay and TIRF microscopy assays confirm that GII.4 VLPs prefer to bind to type 1 chain GSL structures dependent on secretor status (FUT2 expression), which further supports GSLs as one of the important attachment factors for this virus.…”

“…The virus is highly contagious and thus constitutes a major societal challenge. In most cases, the infection is self-limiting, but the illness can be chronic, severe, or even fatal (16)(17)(18)(19)(20). There is a large genetic and phenotypic variation of circulating strains of HuNoV, and the predominant GII.4 strains change through critical (epochal) mutations and appear as new, globally occurring, variants every 2-3 years (21).…”