Comparison of clinical characteristics between astrovirus and rotavirus infections diagnosed in 1997 to 2002 in Hungary.

Aim: To determine the severity and clinical characteristics of human astrovirus (HAstV) infections among hospitalized children and compare them with children infected by rotavirus.

Methods: Retrospective, case-control study of astrovirus-infected and rotavirus-infected children. Astroviruses were detected in stool samples by enzyme immunoassay and/or reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

One-year survey of astrovirus infection in children with gastroenteritis in a large hospital in Hungary: occurrence and genetic analysis of astroviruses.

Human astroviruses (HAstV) are the causative agents of viral gastroenteritis mainly in children worldwide. This study investigated the epidemiology and genotype diversity of HAstVs detected in children admitted to hospital with gastroenteritis in Hungary. Stool samples were collected from children with diarrhea at the Municipal "Szent László" Hospital, Budapest, Hungary, between January 2002 and December 2002.