Reovirus infection in children: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Reovirus infection is an acute disease accompanied by catarrh of the upper respiratory tract and often damage to the small intestine. In this regard, the viruses are called respiratory enteric orphan viruses (human respiratory intestinal viruses - REO viruses).

Epidemiology

Reovirus infection is widespread in all regions of the globe. The source of infection is a sick person and virus carriers. The possibility of infection from animals, in which pathogens are widespread and excreted with feces, is not excluded.

The main route of transmission of the infection is airborne, but the feco-oral route of infection is also possible. Diseases occur in the form of sporadic cases and epidemic outbreaks, mainly in children's groups. Children aged 6 months to 3-5 years are most often ill. Almost all children suffer from reovirus infection, as indicated by the detection of specific antibodies in most people by the age of 25-30.

Causes of reovirus infection

The family of reoviruses includes 3 genera. Of practical importance are 2 genera: reoviruses proper and rotaviruses.

Reoviruses contain double-stranded RNA, the virion has a diameter of 70-80 nm. Three serovars of human reoviruses are known: 1, 2 and 3. They have a common complement-binding and type-specific antigens. The viruses are relatively resistant to heat, ultraviolet rays and common disinfectants.

The virus penetrates the cell via endocytosis and is transported to lysosomes, exiting the cell when it dies. Reoviruses reproduce well in cell cultures of various origins. The cytopathic effect may appear in 2-3 weeks.

Pathogenesis of reovirus infection

The virus multiplies in the epithelium of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and intestines. From the lymphatic follicles, the virus enters the mesenteric lymph nodes, and then through the lymphatic system into the blood. In children, reoviruses cause catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract or small intestine.

Symptoms of reovirus infection

The incubation period lasts from 1 to 7 days. The disease begins acutely in most children, with a rise in temperature. Headache, loss of appetite, cough, runny nose, nausea and vomiting may be noted. During examination, hyperemia of the face, injection of scleral vessels, conjunctivitis, hyperemia of the mucous membrane of the tonsils, arches, back wall of the pharynx, mucous discharge from the nose are observed. The cervical lymph nodes, liver and spleen may be enlarged.

In some patients, at the height of catarrhal symptoms, intestinal syndrome appears. Children complain of abdominal pain, rumbling along the small intestine.

The disease is mild in most cases. Fever lasts from 1 to 7 days.

In young children, pneumonia, herpangina, serous meningitis, and myocarditis are possible. Fatal cases have been reported among newborns and young children. In older age groups, reovirus infection often occurs in latent, asymptomatic forms. There are no characteristic changes in the blood.

Diagnosis of reovirus infection

It is difficult to diagnose reovirus infection without laboratory tests. Specific diagnostics are based on the isolation of the virus from nasopharyngeal mucus, feces, cerebrospinal fluid in cell culture, as well as on the establishment of an increase in the titer of specific antibodies in paired sera in RTGA.

Differential diagnostics

Reovirus infection is differentiated from acute respiratory viral infections of other etiologies, enterovirus diseases, and mycoplasma infection.

Treatment of reovirus infection

Symptomatic. Antibiotics are prescribed only if bacterial complications occur.

Prevention

Specific prevention has not been developed. Generally accepted anti-epidemic measures are taken, as with ARVI.

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