Evidence for Viral Gastroenteritis

Abstract

To the Editor: The recent demonstration of light-microscope changes in duodenal mucosa of children with acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis¹ prompted us to study this tissue by electron microscopy. In two of the first four children examined virus-like particles were observed in damaged duodenal epithelial cells.The children, all less than three years of age, had typical symptoms of gastroenteritis — i.e., occasional vomiting, profuse diarrhea and fever for which no other cause could be found. All responded over several days to dietary treatment and were discharged well. No bacterial, fungal or viral pathogens were isolated from throat swab, stool or duodenal . . .