Protective immunity after natural rotavirus infection: a community cohort study of newborn children in Guinea-Bissau, west Africa.

Abstract

To study the natural history of rotavirus infection and to determine the protection it confers against reinfection and diarrhea, 200 newborns in Guinea-Bissau were prospectively followed for up to 2 years. Rotavirus was detected in stool specimens collected weekly. By age 2 years, the incidence of primary rotavirus infection was 74%. In the first 3 months of life, 17% of the infections were diarrhea associated, compared with 60% at 9-11 months; after age 18 months, all infections were asymptomatic. A primary infection conferred 52% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16% to 73%) and 70% (95% CI, 29% to 87%) protection against subsequent rotavirus infection and rotavirus diarrhea, respectively. The protection was 66% (95% CI, 24% to 85%) against reinfection within the same epidemic, compared with 34% (95% CI, -29% to 67%) against reinfection in any subsequent epidemic. The high level of protection against symptomatic rotavirus infection provides an important incentive for development of a rotavirus vaccine.

• Authors: Thea K Fischer, Palle Valentiner-Branth, Hans Steinsland, Michael Perch, Gina Santos, Peter Aaby, Kåre Mølbak, Halvor Sommerfelt
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 186 Issue 5 Pg. 593-7 (Sep 01 2002) ISSN: 0022-1899 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12195345 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Cohort Studies
• Diarrhea (epidemiology, immunology, virology)
• Feces (microbiology)
• Female
• Guinea-Bissau (epidemiology)
• Humans
• Immunity, Innate (immunology)
• Incidence
• Infant, Newborn
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Rotavirus (immunology)
• Rotavirus Infections (epidemiology, immunology, virology)
• Seasons