Aetiological importance of viruses causing acute gastroenteritis in humans

Abstract

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a common illness affecting all age groups worldwide causing 2.2 million deaths annually. Viruses including rotaviruses, noroviruses, enteric adenoviruses and astroviruses are the major cause of AGE, with rotavirus causing the majority of severe illness. Advances in molecular techniques have led to the identification of many more viruses in faeces. Proving an association with AGE will require prospective controlled trials which so far are few in number.