Serum and intestinal immune response to rotavirus enteritis in children

Abstract

The serum and mucosal immune response to naturally acquired rotavirus enteritis in children was assessed. Serum and duodenal secretions were collected 1 wk and again 4-5 wk after the onset of illness from 10 children. In 2 of these children, the procedure was repeated 12-15 mo. later. Another 10 children with bacterial enteritis were studied as controls. The antibody response in serum included a significant elevation of rotavirus-specific IgM in acute-phase samples (P .OMEGA. 0.05), but not in convalescent-phase samples, when compared with controls. Rotavirus-specific IgG and IgA levels were significantly elevated in convalescent-phase serum when compared with acute-phase serum (P < 0.025), but not in control serum. Rotavirus-specific IgA levels in convalescent duodenal secretions were significantly raised when compared with both acute-phase and control samples (P < 0.01). Rotavirus-specific IgM levels were elevated in acute-phase duodenal secretions (P < 0.05), but not in convalescent-phase secretions. In 2 children, the secretory IgA response had disappeared by 12 mo. Thus, the presence of rotavirus-specific antibody in duodenal secretions may be important for protection against reinfection and capable of being stimulated by oral vaccination.