Rotavirus and winter gastro-enteritis in White South African infants.

In a microbiological investigation of winter gastro-enteritis in 23 White children rotaviruses were found in 14 (61%) and parvovirus-like particles in 1 (4%). Bacteriological examination of stools from 11 of these patients yielded one isolate of Salmonella eastbourne, but no enterotoxigenic or invasive bacteria were found. Rotavirus appears to be the main aetiological agent of acute winter gastro-enteritis in White infants.