Reovirus-Like Agent in Acute Epidemic Gastroenteritis in Japanese Infants: Fecal Shedding and Serologic Response

Abstract

The reovirus-like agent, sometimes referred to as duovirus or rotavirus, was visualized by electron microscopy in stool extracts from Japanese infants and young children with acute epidemic gastroenteritis. The virus particles measured 70 nm in diameter and had double-shelled capsids. One hundred ten (89%) of 124 patients with the gastroenteritis had such virus particles in stools obtained during the acute phase. The virus particles were excreted in the stools usually during the first eight days of illness. Agglutination of virus particles by antibody present in convalescent-phase sera was demonstrated by immune electron microscopy. Complement-fixing antibody was detected as early as day 3 of illness, and antibody titers peaked during the second and third weeks of the disease. The antibody appearing in the acute and early convalescent phases was sensitive to 2-mercaptoethanol. Antibody resistant to 2-mercaptoethanol was produced approximately 10 days after the onset of the symptoms. The serologic evidence suggests that a primary infection with the reovirus-like agent was responsible for the clinical attack of acute gastroenteritis.

Evaluation of Anatomic Changes in Young Children with Natural Rotavirus Infection: Is Intussusception Biologically Plausible?

“…Enlarged mesenteric nodes and nodal aggregates are often observed during the surgical correction of intussusception [14,17,19]. Konno et al [22], using autopsy material, reported that hyperplasia of the intestinal lymphoid tissue occurs in acute gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus infection. Pathological data on resected bowel from intussusceptions associated with the now-withdrawn rotavirus vaccine identified lymphoid hyperplasia as possible lead points [23].…”

Rotavirus infection in children in Japan

“…The outbreak prompted Konno et al to perform a virological study in 1975 following the method of Bishop et al From this period, some of results about reovirus‐like agent or rotavirus infection have started to be reported in Japan. 19–21 …”

A year's experience of the rotavirus syndrome and its association with respiratory illness.

“…Reports have universally shown that rotavirus particles can be seen in the stools of 15 to 90% of infants with diarrhoea but are absent from the stools of most healthy children. The highest isolation rates have been in temperate climates, particularly in the winter months (Bishop et al, 1974;Davidson et al, 1975;Kapikian et al, 1976;Dupont et al, 1977;Konno et al, 1977;Schoub et al, 1977;Walker-Smith, 1978).…”