Astrovirus Gastroenteritis in Children Younger than 5 Years in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso): Prevalence and Risks Factors Influencing Severity
Zakaria Gamsonré
Biomolecular Research Center Pietro Annigoni (CERBA/LABIOGENE), University of Ouagadougou, BP 364, Burkina Faso.
Cyrille Bisseye
Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Science and Technology of Masuku (USTM), BP 943, Franceville, Gabon.
Léon W. Nitiema *
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique (CNRST), 03 BP 7047 – Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
Birama Diarra
Biomolecular Research Center Pietro Annigoni (CERBA/LABIOGENE), University of Ouagadougou, BP 364, Burkina Faso.
Théodora M. Zohoncon
Biomolecular Research Center Pietro Annigoni (CERBA/LABIOGENE), University of Ouagadougou, BP 364, Burkina Faso.
Issoufou Tao
Biomolecular Research Center Pietro Annigoni (CERBA/LABIOGENE), University of Ouagadougou, BP 364, Burkina Faso.
Tegwindé Rebeca Compaoré
Biomolecular Research Center Pietro Annigoni (CERBA/LABIOGENE), University of Ouagadougou, BP 364, Burkina Faso.
Florencia W. Djigma
Biomolecular Research Center Pietro Annigoni (CERBA/LABIOGENE), University of Ouagadougou, BP 364, Burkina Faso.
Djénéba Ouermi
Biomolecular Research Center Pietro Annigoni (CERBA/LABIOGENE), University of Ouagadougou, BP 364, Burkina Faso.
Johan Nordgren
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Molecular Virology, Linköping University, 58185 Linköping, Sweden.
Virginio Pietra
Saint Camille Medical Center (CMSC), Nanoro, Burkina Faso.
Jacques Simporé
Biomolecular Research Center Pietro Annigoni (CERBA/LABIOGENE), University of Ouagadougou, BP 364, Burkina Faso.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of astrovirus infections and associated risks factors.
Methods: A prospective study was undertaken from May 2009 to March 2010, covering the rainy and dry seasons, at the Saint Camille Medical Center in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. A total of 213 non hospitalized children less than 5 years of age with diarrhea were enrolled and examined for astrovirus, others enteropathogens, and clinico-epidemiological aspects.
Results: Astroviruses prevalence among the enrolled children was 14.6%. Astrovirus infections were common during the cold dry season from December to February (38.7%), during the rainy season from June to September (54.8%), also during dry season in March (3.2%) and May (3.2%). Children younger than 11 months of age were most affected by astroviruses (16%). Moderate and severe malnutrition influenced more severe symptoms of astrovirus related diarrheas.
Conclusion: The present study shows that astroviruses have an important role in pediatric viral-associated diarrhea in Burkina Faso. Diarrhea is more severe in malnourished children.
Keywords: Gastroenteritis, Astrovirus, Diarrhea, Malnutrition, Burkina Faso.