Rotavirus gastroenteritis. Clinical and laboratory features and use of the Rotazyme test
A. Kovacs, L. Chan, C. Hotrakitya, G. Overturf and B. Portnoy
Clinical and laboratory features of 86 infants admitted with diarrhea and
dehydration were evaluated prospectively. Human rotavirus (HRV) infection
was documented in 35 infants (41%) by the Rotazyme test. Those with HRV
gastroenteritis (HRV+ group) had a shorter duration of diarrhea prior to
admission, more severe dehydration on presentation, and a longer hospital
course than the HRV-negative (HRV-) group. Vomiting, fever, upper
respiratory tract symptoms, otitis media, and cough were present in equal
numbers of infants in both groups. The HRV+ infants had lower serum
bicarbonate and higher serum albumin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate
aminotransferase, and uric acid concentrations than did the HRV- infants.
Serum uric acid levels greater than 10 mg/dL (590 mumol/L) were present in
69% of HRV+ vs 29% of HRV- infants. The Rotazyme test was found to be a
valuable tool in diagnosis; testing on two days increased the yield from
74% to 97% of all infants finally diagnosed as HRV+. The optimal time for
testing was within the first five days of illness.
