Viral Acute Gastroenteritis in Special Populations

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2021 Jun;50(2):305-322. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2021.02.003. Epub 2021 Apr 23.

Abstract

Viral acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is common and afflicts people of all ages. Nonviral causes of AGE are less common. Norovirus is a leading cause of sporadic cases and outbreaks of AGE across all ages. Universal rotavirus vaccination of infants has reduced frequency and severity of rotavirus AGE cases in children and indirectly reduced cases in older adults. Severe illness is more likely in persons at age extremes or with immunocompromising conditions. Viral causes of AGE can lead to protracted diarrheal illness in immunocompromised persons. Nucleic acid amplification tests are changing diagnostic testing algorithms.

Keywords: Acute gastroenteritis; And nitazoxanide; Astrovirus; Enteric adenovirus; Infectious diarrhea; Norovirus; Rotavirus; Sapovirus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Child
  • Diarrhea
  • Feces
  • Gastroenteritis* / diagnosis
  • Gastroenteritis* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Norovirus*
  • Rotavirus*