Rotavirus in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Rotavirus was studied over a 1-year period in 141 hospitalized children suffering from gastroenteritis and in 120 control children. Electron microscopy and discontinuous counterimmunoelectrophoresis techniques were employed with equal success. Rotavirus was detected with high frequency in children suffering from diarrhea (45 cases; 32%) and in only 2 cases (1.6%) of the control group. A marked seasonal distribution, with 80% in July (winter) and a decrease (0%) in December (summer), was observed. The frequency of infection with rotavirus was highest in infants between 0 and 6 months of age. Seroconversion, studied by complement fixation, was obtained in 34 of 42 (80%) virus-positive children, and antibody without conversion was observed in 8 (19%). Of 58 virus-negative children, 51 (96.2%) were negative for antibody and only 2 (3.7%) developed antibody.