Norwalk virus in Norway: an outbreak of gastroenteritis studied by electron microscopy and radioimmunoassay

Scand J Infect Dis. 1989;21(5):521-6. doi: 10.3109/00365548909037880.

Abstract

An outbreak of acute gastroenteritis affected approximately half of 40 children staying at a holiday centre in Southern Norway. By direct electron microscopy Norwalk-like viruses were demonstrated in 4/8 available stool specimens. No other pathogens were detected. Antibody against these viruses was demonstrated by immune electron microscopy in all of 7 convalescent phase sera but in none of 11 acute phase sera collected. Radioimmunoassay examination showed a rise in titre of Norwalk virus antibody in 6 available paired sera. This outbreak of Norwalk virus gastroenteritis in Norway was thus documented by a combined use of direct and immune electron microscopy and radioimmunoassay.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Child
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Gastroenteritis / epidemiology*
  • Gastroenteritis / immunology
  • Gastroenteritis / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Norwalk virus / immunology*
  • Norwalk virus / isolation & purification
  • Norwalk virus / ultrastructure
  • Norway / epidemiology
  • Radioimmunoassay
  • Virus Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Virus Diseases / immunology
  • Virus Diseases / microbiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral