Importance of a new virus in acute sporadic enteritis in children.

In a year-long survey of children admitted with acute enteritis to hospital in Melbourne, Australia, an aetiological agent was found in approximately 75% of patients. During most months of the year a newly described virus belonging to the family Reoviridae was detected by electron microscopy of faecal extracts from more than 50% of patients. Recovery of this virus reached a peak (73%) during the winter. All age-group up to five years of age were susceptible to infection, which was occasionally fatal. Duration of infection was brief, with a probable incubation period of less than two days. Infections acquired in hospital were not uncommon. The name of this new virus is not decided. The name "duovirus" is proposed rather than "rotavirus" as previously suggested. There is already convincing evidence that this new virus will prove to be the most important aetiological agent of sporadic acute enteritis in young children.