Rotavirus, astrovirus and adenovirus associated with an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a South African child care centre

Abstract

An outbreak of gastroenteritis in the infant–toddler unit of a child care centre (CCC) in Pretoria, South Africa, was investigated for possible viral enteropathogens. Rotavirus was found in association with seven (70%) diarrhoeal episodes. Co-infection with rotavirus and human astrovirus (HAstV) was demonstrated in two of these episodes, and rotavirus, HAstV and enteric adenovirus (EAd) co-infection in another. Rotavirus occurred alone in four of the diarrhoeal episodes, while HAstV and EAd were each detected alone in one episode. Two HAstV and one rotavirus asymptomatic infection episodes also occurred. Overall, 8 of 10 children had rotavirus infections, of which 7 were symptomatic, 6 of 10 children had HAstV infections (4 symptomatic), and 2 of 10 children had EAd infection, both symptomatic. These results highlight the diversity of viral enteropathogens that may be associated with a diarrhoeal outbreak in a CCC and emphasize the need to investigate the possibility that multiple enteropathogens may simultaneously cause a single outbreak of diarrhoea.