Vitamin A supplementation has divergent effects on norovirus infections and clinical symptoms among Mexican children

Kurt Z. Long, Coralith García, Jose I. Santos, Jorge L. Rosado, Ellen Hertzmark, Herbert L. DuPont, Gwang Pyo Ko

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. The effect of vitamin A supplementation on viral gastrointestinal infections among young children living in developing countries remains unclear. Methods. The effect of vitamin A supplementation on norovirus (NoV) infection among 127 Mexican children 5-15 months of age was studied in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial during June-August 1998. Stool samples collected every 2 weeks and after diarrheal episodes were screened for NoV and characterized at the genogroup level (GI and GII). Results. Of the stool samples collected, 29.9% were positive for NoV, and NoV GI and NoV GII were found in 55.4% and 46.4% of the positive samples, respectively. Vitamin A supplementation reduced the prevalence of NoV GII infections (rate ratio [RR], 0.60 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.20-0.82]), increased the length of both NoV GI and GII shedding, and decreased the prevalence of NoV-associated diarrhea (RR, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.26-0.97]). Conclusions. These findings suggest that NoV is an important cause of pediatric diarrhea in this study population and that vitamin A supplementation has divergent effects on specific outcomes of NoV infection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)978-985
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume196
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Infectious Diseases

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