Rotavirus Infection in HIV-1 Infected Individuals at an urban HIV/AIDS Treatment Center in Kampala, Uganda

摘要

Rotavirus is consistently shown to be the leading cause of severe diarrhorea in children worldwide. It is estimated to cause death of more than 2.5million young children annually, and approximately 85% of these deaths occur in developing countries in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. However, as many studies have concentrated in children under 5 years, there is limited information on the role of rotavirus infection in acute diarrhorea in HIV-1 immune-suppressed cases. We designed this study to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of Rotavirus infection in HIV/AIDS immune-suppressed children and adults at an urban AIDS treatment center. We collected 122 stool samples from consented HIV-1 infected patients presenting with non-bloody acute diarrhorea. Rotavirus genetic material Ribonucleic acid (RNA) was extracted from the viral genome region showing maximum sequence conservation and detection was done using immunochromatographic assay. Rotavirus prevalence was investigated using frequency tabulations and its association with each of the factors was analyzed using the Fisher’s exact and chi-square statistical tests. Out of 122 samples investigated, 72 (59.0%) were from children and 50 (41.0%) from adults. Overall, 39(32.0%) samples were positive for Rotavirus infection. The prevalence in the HIV infected children 26 (21.3%) and that in HIV infected adults 13 (10.7 %) did not significantly differ chi-square p=0.239. The factors found to be associated with rotavirus infection are water source, p=0.002, duration of diarhorea, p=0.001, and history of vomiting, p=0.001. In HIV-1 immune-suppression, Rotavirus infection was found to be prevalent in both children and adults. Based on the findings, screening for rotavirus could be considered in HIV- infections particularly in cases where samples are negative for other common enteric pathogens. However, due to the smaller size of the study we recommend that a larger and well controlled study be conducted to generate stronger evidence.