Main Article Content

Characterisation of gastroenteritis associated adenoviruses in South Africa


P Moore
AD Steele
G Lecatsas
JJ Alexander

Abstract

Objective. To analyse adenovirus (Ad) numbers and types associated with paediatric gastro-enteritis in South Africa
Setting. Gauteng, 1994-1996.
Methods. A total of 234 paediatric diarrhoeal stool samples were screened for Ad using commercial enzyme-linked iInmunosorbent assays (EUSAs). Adenoviral isolates were typed, where possibie, using restriction enzyme analysis.
Results. Ad was detected in 23 (9.8%) specimens, of which 8 (34.8%) were found by subgroup F-specilic EUSA to contain Ad40 or 41. Six of these isolates were typed and 2 could not be typed. Of the remaining 15 specimens, 2 isolates had restriction profiles that did not correspond with known Ads, while 2were identified as Ad31 and 1 as a subgroup CAd. The remaining 10 specimens negative for Ad40/41 were noncultivable and could not be typed.
Conclusions. The high percentage of non-eultivable Ads other than Ad40/41 is unusual, and may possibly indicate the prevalence of hexon variants of Ad40/41 or of emerging Ad types in South Africa.


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2078-5135
print ISSN: 0256-9574