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Electron microscopic reporting of gastrointestianal viruses in the United Kingdom, 1985–1987
Author(s) -
Monroe Stephan S.,
Glass Roger I.,
Noah Norman,
Flewett Thomas H.,
Caul E. Owen,
Ashton C. Ian,
Curry Alan,
Field Anne M.,
Madeley Richard,
Pead Patrick J.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.1890330310
Subject(s) - virology , feces , epidemiology , biology , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology
Abstract We examined some epidemiological features of the viruses associated with gastrointestinal illness, using national data reported by electron microscopists in the United Kingdom. During the 3 years analyzed (1985–1987), a total of 1,993 positive detections of astroviruses, caliciviruses, coronaviruses, and small round structured viruses (SRSVs) were reported. In 1 year of this period, 8,210 rotaviruses were reported. More than 90% of the astroviruses and caliciviruses were detected in children under 5 years of age, while coronaviruses and SRSVs were detected in adults as well as children. Detections of astroviruses increased in the winter and were infrequent during the summer, a seasonal pattern similar to that observed for rotaviruses. There was some variability between reporting regions in rates of detection of fecal viruses. We have attempted to identify the reasons for this. We make suggestions for improving the detection of human fecal viruses, and we recognize the need for continued surveillance of these agents.