Rotavirus serology and breast-feeding in young children in rural Guinea-Bissau - PubMed (original) (raw)
Rotavirus serology and breast-feeding in young children in rural Guinea-Bissau
G Gunnlaugsson et al. Acta Paediatr Scand. 1989 Jan.
Abstract
One hundred and forty-four children aged 9-20 months living in 14 villages in a rural area of Guinea-Bissau were examined for circulating rotavirus antibodies twice in a 15-month period. An immunofluorescence technique was used. About 3/4 of the children seroconverted, independent of age on entering the study. The age-specific proportion of seropositivity increased from 4/40 (10%) at 9-11 months to 26/29 (90%) at 33-35 months of age. All the initially seropositive children retained detectable antibodies to rotavirus. The relative risk of seroconversion was 1.4 times (95% confidence interval 1.0-2.0) more common among children living in villages by the mainroad as compared to those living off the road. Contact rate is probably dependent on population density and mobility but not on age. Breast-feeding, decreasing sharply through the age interval covered by the follow-up (9-35 months), had no apparent influence on seroconversion at the ages concerned.
PIP: The object of this study was to examine the effects of breast feeding, age, and residence location on rotavirus seropositivity among children in Guinea-Bissau. Blood samples were taken from 144 breast fed children aged 9-20 months. Blood samples were taken again 15 months later. The cumulative incidence of seroconversion was 76% or about 3/4 of each of the initial age groups (9-11 months, 12-14 months, 15-17 months, and 18-20 months). At the beginning of the study seropositivity increased with age. After 15 months it showed a further gradual increase with age. The children in the 9-11 month group were mostly still breast fed 15 months later, while those in the 18-20 month group were mostly weaned 15 months later. But the cumulative incidence of seropositivity remained 3/4. On the other hand, children living along the main road had a 40% higher risk of seroconverting as compared to children living off the road. Since age and breast feeding do not appear to be associated directly with seroconversion, it may be that travel patterns in the dry season contribute to the seasonality of rotavirus infection.