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An epidemiological investigation of Norwalk virus infection in South Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

M. B. Taylor
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, PO Box 2034, Pretoria, South Africa 0001
S. Parker
Affiliation:
Department of Virology, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WCIN IEH, United Kingdom
W. O. K. Grabow
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, PO Box 2034, Pretoria, South Africa 0001
W. D. Cubitt
Affiliation:
Department of Virology, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WCIN IEH, United Kingdom
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Summary

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A study was carried out to determine the incidence and seroprevalence of Norwalk virus (NV) in the Pretoria area, South Africa, using a recombinant NV (rNV) immunoassay for the detection of serum IgG antibodies. Maternal antibody was detectable in infants' sera up to approximately 6 months of age. Infection with NV was detected serologically in the second year of life and the seroprevalence of NV IgG rose from 37·1% at 7–11 months of age to 62·1% by the age of 40 years. No significant differences in seroprevalence of NV IgG antibody was evident between subjects of European or African ethnic origin, where overall seroprevalence rates were 56·4% and 53·9% respectively.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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