Effect of concomitant HIV infection on presentation and outcome of rotavirus gastroenteritis in Malawian children

Abstract

Background: Rotaviruses represent important causes of severe diarrhoea in early childhood. We examined the effect of HIV infection on the presentation and outcome of rotavirus gastroenteritis in Malawian children. Methods: Children younger than 5 years who were treated for acute gastroenteritis at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre from July, 1997, to June, 1999, were enrolled. Children with rotavirus diarrhoea, with and without HIV infection, were followed up for up to 4 weeks after hospital discharge. Rotavirus disease severity (assessed with a 20-point score), duration of rotavirus shedding, and seroresponse to rotavirus were compared between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected ..