Serological survey of anti-group A rotavirus IgM in UK adults

Abstract

SUMMARYRotaviral associated disease of infants in the UK is seasonal and infection in adults not uncommon but the relationship between these has been little explored. Adult sera collected monthly for one year from routine hospital samples were screened for the presence of anti-group A rotavirus immunoglobulin M class antibodies as a marker of recent infection. Anti-rotavirus IgM was seen in all age groups throughout the year with little obvious seasonal variation in the distribution of antibody levels. IgM concentrations and the proportion seropositive above a threshold both increased with age with high concentrations consistently observed in the elderly. Results suggest either high infection rates of rotavirus in adults, irrespective of seasonal disease incidence in infants, IgM persistence or IgM cross-reactivity. These results support recent evidence of differences between infant and adult rotavirus epidemiology and highlight the need for more extensive surveys to investigate age and time related infection and transmission of rotavirus.

Vaccine preventable viral diseases and risks associated with waterborne transmission

“…This is confirmed by community studies showing that rotavirus infection was shed by mild sporadic cases of diarrhea not necessitating hospitalization or asymptomatic subjects, spanning all ages [22]. In the UK, rotavirus-specific IgM was detected in the normal adult population with no seasonal trend [23], suggesting constant circulation of the virus among adults independent on the winter peak of disease typical for children. Although immunity to rotavirus gastroenteritis has been considered to be life-long, adults might play a role of healthy carriers and reservoir for rotavirus [24].…”

Towards a US national estimate of the risk of endemic waterborne disease – sero-epidemiologic studies

“…Tests for sensitivity and specificity were done; sera from "presumed low risk" (North American) children were used as "nega- Such persistence has also been noted previously (Casemore 1987;Ungar et al 1989), and in some viral infections (Cox & Medley 2003). A further report from Newman et al (1999) described fecal studies on children in the same area, sampled over a four-year period, and confirmed evidence of possible recurrent or repeat symptomatic infection as well as asymptomatic cases.…”

“…Enteroviruses are generally ubiquitous, even in areas with high levels of hygiene and water quality, although sub-types vary in frequency of reporting geographically and temporally. Antibody studies generally reflect this ubiquity (Payment 1991;Cox & Medley 2003). Data from a study by Jiang and others supports a protective role for antibody to rotavirus, or as a correlate of protective immunity (Jiang et al 2002).…”

“…The perceived epidemiology of rotavirus has been skewed by the concentration on infection in infants and young children but it is more widespread in adults than is usually recognized, in developed as well as developing countries (Casemore 1987, unpublished data;Cox et al 1998a, b;Cox & Medley 2003;Iturriza-Gomara et al 2004). has made serology more precise (Atmar & Estes 2001).…”

Molecular epidemiology of rotaviruses in Bulgaria: annual shift of the predominant genotype

“…Secondly, we observed year-round circulation of rotaviruses in the country, with increased incidence in the winter season and unexpected peaks preceding the rotavirus seasons. An investigation of the presence of anti-rotavirus group A IgM antibodies in adults conducted in the United Kingdom [43] has shown a high titer of antibodies all year round, despite their seasonal distribution in the child population. Thus, this might suggest the year-round circulation of rotaviruses and an asymptomatic or milder course of rotavirus disease during the summer months, which may be a consequence of herd immunity acquired during the winter months.…”