Diagnostic electron microscopy of faeces

• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.27.8.608
• Publication Date: 2007-06-09T04:50:46Z
• Authors: T. H. Flewett; Heather Davies; A. S. Bryden; M. J. Robertson
• Keywords: Agglutination; 0303 health sciences; Immune Sera; Infant; Haplorhini; Kidney; Reoviridae; Gastroenteritis; 3. Good health; Feces; Microscopy, Electron; 03 medical and health sciences; Child, Preschool; Culture Techniques; Acute Disease; Animals; Humans; Child

Virus particles resembling reoviruses or orbiviruses were found in the faeces of 40 of 73 patients under 6 years of age with acute gastroenteritis and in faeces of only two babies among 31 patients under 6 years admitted to hospital with other diagnoses. In morphology the particles resemble orbiviruses more closely than reoviruses, but differ in appearance from the orbiviruses in having a smooth, circular outline with a well marked continuous rim as seen in negatively stained preparations. They appear not to be serologically related to reovirus types 1, 2, or 3 and may be members of a new group.