High prevalence and prolonged shedding with enteric viruses among children with acute diarrhea in Franceville, Southeast of Gabon

Abstract

Background: Diarrheal diseases are a severe public health problem and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children and young infants, particularly in sub-Saharan African countries. Objectives: The aim of this study was to detect enteric viruses and to collect data on both viral shedding and new infections by these viruses in children in Franceville. Study design: A total of 98 stool samples were collected from children aged 0–15 years old living in Franceville and included in this study. These stool samples were collected at the time of acute diarrhea and both 10 and 21 days later. The samples were analyzed by real-time PCR targeting seven viruses: rotavirus A (RVA), adenovirus (HAdV), astrovirus (HAstV), sapovirus (SaV), bocavirus (HBoV), norovirus (GI&GII). Results: Among the 66 diarrheal stool samples collected at the time of acute diarrhea, 60 (90.9%) samples were found positive for at least one of the enteric viruses tested. HAdV (81.8%) and HBoV (66.7%) were the most frequently detected viruses in diarrheal samples, followed by NoV GII (30.3%), HAstV (10.6%), SaV (10.6%), RVA (7.6%) and NoV GI (1.5%). Viral shedding and new infections by these enteric viruses were observed in the children followed. Conclusions: Our study provides useful information on both viral clearance and new infections with enteric viruses among children in Franceville, which may help to better control and manage enteric virus infections. Several coinfection and asymptomatic shedding cases suggest an intense community transmission of these enteric viruses and other enteric pathogens in this low-income Gabonese setting.

Keywords

• Diarrhea
• Enteric virus
• Shedding
• Children
• Gabon