Nonsecretor Phenotype Is Associated With Less Risk of Rotavirus-Associated Acute Gastroenteritis in a Vaccinated Nicaraguan Birth Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) have been associated with rotavirus vaccine take; but the effect of these HBGAs on rotavirus incidence and risk remains poorly explored in vaccinated populations. METHODS: Rotavirus-associated acute gastroenteritis (AGE) was assessed in 444 Nicaraguan children followed from birth until 3 years of age. AGE episodes were tested for rotavirus by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and saliva or blood was used to determine HBGA phenotypes. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the relative hazard of rotavirus AGE by HBGA phenotypes. RESULTS: Rotavirus was detected in 109 (7%) stool samples from 1689 AGE episodes over 36 months of observation between June 2017 and July 2021. Forty-six samples were successfully genotyped. Of these, 15 (35%) were rotavirus vaccine strain G1P[8], followed by G8P[8] or G8P[nt] (11 [24%]) and equine-like G3P[8] (11 [24%]). The overall incidence of rotavirus-associated AGE was 9.2 per 100 child-years, and was significantly higher in secretor than nonsecretor children (9.8 vs 3.5/100 child-years, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: The nonsecretor phenotype was associated with decreased risk of clinical rotavirus vaccine failure in a vaccinated Nicaraguan birth cohort. These results show the importance of secretor status on rotavirus risk, even in vaccinated children.

Secretor Status Strongly Influences the Incidence of Symptomatic Norovirus Infection in a Genotype-Dependent Manner in a Nicaraguan Birth Cohort.

BACKGROUND: The role of histo-blood group on the burden and severity of norovirus gastroenteritis in young infants has not been well documented. METHODS: Norovirus gastroenteritis was assessed in 443 Nicaraguan children followed from birth until 3 years of age. Stool samples were tested for norovirus by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) were determined by phenotyping of saliva and blood. Hazard ratios and predictors of norovirus acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outcome stratified by HBGA were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Of 1353 AGE episodes experienced by children, 229 (17%) tested positive for norovirus with an overall incidence of 21.9/100 child-years. Secretor children were infected as early as 2 months of age and had a higher incidence of norovirus GII compared to nonsecretor children (15.4 vs 4.1/100 child-years, P = .006). Furthermore, all GII.4 AGE episodes occurred in secretor children. Children infected with GI (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.09 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .02-.33]) or non-GII.4 viruses (aOR, 0.2 [95% CI, .07-.6]) were less likely to have severe AGE compared to GII.4-infected children. CONCLUSIONS: Secretor status in children strongly influences the incidence of symptomatic norovirus infection in a genogroup or genotype-dependent manner and provides evidence that clinical severity in children depends on norovirus genotypes.

First Episodes of Norovirus and Sapovirus Gastroenteritis Protect Against Subsequent Episodes in a Nicaraguan Birth Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Norovirus and sapovirus cause a large burden of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in young children. We assessed protection conferred by norovirus and sapovirus AGE episodes against future episodes. METHODS: Between June 2017 and July 2018, we recruited 444 newborns in León, Nicaragua. Weekly household surveys identified AGE episodes over 36 months, and AGE stools were tested by reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for norovirus genogroup (G)I/GII and sapovirus. We used recurrent-event Cox models and negative control methods to estimate protection conferred by first episodes, controlling for observed and unobserved risk factors, respectively. RESULTS: Sapovirus episodes conferred a 69% reduced hazard of subsequent episodes using the negative control method. Norovirus GI (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.31, 1.3) and GII (HR = 0.20; 95% CI = 0.04, 0.44) episodes also appeared highly protective. Protection against norovirus GII was enhanced following two episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of natural immunity in early childhood provides optimism for the future success of pediatric norovirus and sapovirus vaccines.

Neurological and neuropsychological sequelae of Zika virus infection in children in León, Nicaragua.

Objectives: To describe the presence and persistence of neurological and neuropsychological sequelae among children with acquired Zika virus infection and assess whether those sequelae were more common in children infected with Zika virus compared to uninfected children. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of children with and without Zika virus infection in León, Nicaragua, using a standard clinical assessment tool and questionnaire to collect data on symptoms at three visits, about 6 months apart, and a battery of standardized instruments to evaluate neurocognitive function, behavior, depression, and anxiety at the last two visits. Results: Sixty-two children were enrolled, with no significant differences in demographics by infection group. Children infected with Zika virus had a range of neurological symptoms, some of which persisted for 6 to 12 months; however, no consistent pattern of symptoms was observed. At baseline a small percentage of children infected with Zika virus had an abnormal finger-to-nose test (13%), cold touch response (13%), and vibration response (15%) versus 0% in the uninfected group. Neurocognitive deficits and behavioral problems were common in both groups, with no significant differences between the groups. Children infected with Zika virus had lower cognitive efficiency scores at the 6-month visit. Anxiety and depression were infrequent in both groups. Conclusions: Larger studies are needed to definitively investigate the relationship between Zika virus infection and neurological symptoms and neurocognitive problems, with adjustment for factors affecting cognition and behavior, including mood and sleep disorders, home learning environment, history of neuroinvasive infections, and detailed family history of neuropsychological problems.

Association of Genetic Polymorphisms in DC-SIGN, Toll-Like Receptor 3, and Tumor Necrosis Factor α Genes and the Lewis-Negative Phenotype With Chikungunya Infection and Disease in Nicaragua.

BACKGROUND: Chikungunya infections range from subclinical infection to debilitating arthralgia and to chronic inflammatory rheumatism. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, DC-SIGN (dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3-grabbing nonintegrin), Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3, and blood groups have been directly or indirectly implicated in the susceptibility and pathogenesis of chikungunya. METHODS: To test the hypothesis that polymorphisms in genes coding for these molecules determine clinical outcomes of chikungunya infection, a retrospective case-control study was performed in León, Nicaragua. The study included 132 case patients and 132 controls, matched for age, sex and neighborhood. Case patients had clinical symptoms of chikungunya, which was diagnosed by means of polymerase chain reaction. Controls were individuals not reporting abrupt presentation of clinical chikungunya-like symptoms. Polymorphisms were identified by TaqMan single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assays. RESULTS: After adjustment for sociodemographic risk factors, chikungunya disease was associated with polymorphism in DC-SIGN and TLR3 genes (odds ratios, 5.2 and 3.3, respectively), and TNF-α with reduced persistent joint pain (0.24). Persistent joint pain was also associated with age, female sex and other comorbid conditions. Most interestingly, the Lewis-negative phenotype was strongly associated with both symptomatic chikungunya and immunoglobulin G seropositivity (odds ratios, 2.7, and 3.3, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study identified polymorphisms in DC-SIGN, TLR3, and TNF-α genes as well as Lewis-negative phenotype as risk factors for chikungunya infection and disease progression.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Children Following In Utero Exposure to Zika in Nicaragua.

BACKGROUND: Neurodevelopmental outcomes of asymptomatic children exposed to Zika virus (ZIKV) in utero are not well characterized. METHODS: We prospectively followed 129 newborns without evidence of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) up to 24 months of age. Participants were classified as ZIKV exposed or ZIKV unexposed. The Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) was administered in the participants' homes at 6, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months of age by trained psychologists. Sociodemographic data, medical history, and infant anthropometry at birth were collected at each home visit. Our primary outcome was the Mullen Early Learning Composite Score (ECL) at 24 months of age between our 2 exposure groups. Secondary outcomes were differences in MSEL subscales over time and at 24 months. RESULTS: Of 129 infants in whom exposure status could be ascertained, 32 (24.8%) met criteria for in utero ZIKV exposure and 97 (75.2%) did not. There were no differences in maternal age, maternal educational attainment, birthweight, or gestational age at birth between the 2 exposure groups. The adjusted means and standard errors (SEs) for the ELC score between the ZIKV-exposed children compared to ZIKV-unexposed children were 91.4 (SE, 3.1) vs 96.8 (SE, 2.4) at 12 months and 93.3 (SE, 2.9) vs 95.9 (SE, 2.3) at 24 months. In a longitudinal mixed model, infants born to mothers with an incident ZIKV infection (P = .01) and low-birthweight infants (<2500 g) (P = .006) had lower composite ECL scores. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective cohort of children without CZS, children with in utero ZIKV exposure had lower neurocognitive scores at 24 months.

Global Trends in Norovirus Genotype Distribution among Children with Acute Gastroenteritis.

Noroviruses are a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) among adults and children worldwide. NoroSurv is a global network for norovirus strain surveillance among children <5 years of age with AGE. Participants in 16 countries across 6 continents used standardized protocols for dual typing (genotype and polymerase type) and uploaded 1,325 dual-typed sequences to the NoroSurv web portal during 2016-2020. More than 50% of submitted sequences were GII.4 Sydney[P16] or GII.4 Sydney[P31] strains. Other common strains included GII.2[P16], GII.3[P12], GII.6[P7], and GI.3[P3] viruses. In total, 22 genotypes and 36 dual types, including GII.3 and GII.20 viruses with rarely reported polymerase types, were detected, reflecting high strain diversity. Surveillance data captured in NoroSurv enables the monitoring of trends in norovirus strains associated childhood AGE throughout the world on a near real-time basis.

Seroepidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infections in an urban population-based cohort in León, Nicaragua.

In a Nicaraguan population-based cohort, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence reached 28% in the first 6 months of the country's epidemic and reached 35% 6 months later. Immune waning was uncommon. Individuals with a seropositive household member were over three times as likely to be seropositive themselves, suggesting the importance of household transmission.

Sapovirus: an emerging cause of childhood diarrhea.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Sapovirus, a genus in the Caliciviridae family alongside norovirus, is increasingly recognized as an important cause of childhood diarrhea. Some challenges exist in our ability to better understand sapovirus infections, including the inability to grow sapovirus in cell culture, which has hindered diagnosis and studies of immunity. Another challenge is that individuals with sapovirus infection are commonly coinfected with other enteric pathogens, complicating our ability to attribute the diarrhea episode to a single pathogen. RECENT FINDINGS: Development of molecular methods for sapovirus detection has increased our ability to measure disease prevalence. The prevalence of sapovirus varies between 1 and 17% of diarrhea episodes worldwide, with the highest burden in young children and older adults. Further, epidemiological studies have used novel approaches to account for the presence of coinfections with other enteric pathogens; one multisite cohort study of children under two years of age found that sapovirus had the second-highest attributable incidence among all diarrheal pathogens studied. SUMMARY: Especially in settings where rotavirus vaccines have been introduced, efforts to reduce the overall burden of childhood diarrhea should focus on the reduction of sapovirus transmission and disease burden.

Prolonged Shedding of Zika Virus RNA in Vaginal Secretions, Nicaragua.

Zika virus, an arthropod-borne flavivirus pathogen in humans, is unusual because it can be sexually transmitted and can be shed for prolonged periods in semen. We report viral shedding in vaginal secretions for up to 6 months, indicating the potential for sexual and vertical transmission by infected women.

Both Lewis and secretor status mediate susceptibility to rotavirus infections in a rotavirus genotype-dependent manner.

BACKGROUND: The live oral rotavirus (RV) vaccines have shown a reduced efficacy in Africa. Recent in vitro studies have shown binding of the RV surface protein (VP4) to histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) in an RV genotype-dependent manner, suggesting them to be putative receptors for RV. The diversity of HBGA phenotypes in different ethnic populations, combined with prevalence/absence of specific RV genotypes, led us to hypothesize whether the genetic variations in HBGAs in a population limit susceptibility to certain RV genotypes, plausibly leading to reduced vaccine efficacy. METHODS: Association between HBGAs status and susceptibility to RV P genotypes was investigated in children in Burkina Faso and Nicaragua. In total, 242 children with diarrhea in Burkina Faso and Nicaragua were investigated, 93 of whom were RV positive. RESULTS: In Burkina Faso, the P[8] RV strains (n = 27) infected only Lewis- and secretor-positive children (27/27; P < .0001), but no Lewis-negative children. In contrast, the P[6] strains (n = 27) infected predominantly Lewis-negative children (n = 18; P < .0001) but also Lewis-positive children, irrespective of their secretor status. The results from Nicaragua confirmed that all P[8]-infected children (n = 22) were secretor Lewis positive. CONCLUSIONS: As VP4 of genotype P[8] is a component of current RV vaccines, our finding that Lewis-negative children are resistant to P[8] strains provides a plausible explanation for the reduced vaccine efficacy in populations with a high percentage of Lewis-negative individuals, such as in Africa. Furthermore, our findings provide a plausible explanation as to why P[6] RV strains are more common in Africa.

Transmission Patterns of Norovirus From Infected Children to Household Members in León, Nicaragua.

Norovirus is a common and highly transmissible gastrointestinal pathogen. Among 34 Nicaraguan households with a norovirus-infected child, 48% experienced norovirus transmission within 1 week, infecting 18% of household members; GII norovirus was more commonly transmitted than GI. Pediatric norovirus vaccines could prevent both index cases and transmission to close contacts.

Correction: Association between breastfeeding, host genetic factors, and calicivirus gastroenteritis in a Nicaraguan birth cohort.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267689.].

Metabolic immaturity of newborns and breast milk bile acid metabolites are the central determinants of heightened neonatal vulnerability to norovirus diarrhea.

Noroviruses are the leading global cause of acute gastroenteritis, responsible for 685 million annual cases. While all age groups are susceptible to noroviruses, children are vulnerable to more severe infections than adults, underscored by 200 million pediatric cases and up to 200,000 deaths in children annually. Understanding the basis for the increased vulnerability of young hosts is critical to developing effective treatments. The pathogenic outcome of any enteric virus infection is governed by a complex interplay between the virus, intestinal microbiota, and host immune factors. A central mediator in these complex relationships are host- and microbiota-derived metabolites. Noroviruses bind a specific class of metabolites, bile acids, which are produced by the host and then modified by commensal bacterial enzymes. Paradoxically, bile acids can have both proviral and antiviral roles during norovirus infections. Considering these opposing effects, the microbiota-regulated balance of the bile acid pool may be a key determinant of the pathogenic outcome of a norovirus infection. The bile acid pool in newborns is unique due to immaturity of host metabolic pathways and developing gut microbiota, which could underlie the vulnerability of these hosts to severe norovirus infections. Supporting this concept, we demonstrate herein that microbiota and their bile acid metabolites protect from severe norovirus diarrhea whereas host-derived bile acids promote disease. Remarkably, we also report that maternal bile acid metabolism determines neonatal susceptibility to norovirus diarrhea during breastfeeding by delivering proviral bile acids to the newborn. Finally, directed targeting of maternal and neonatal bile acid metabolism can protect the neonatal host from norovirus disease. Altogether, these data support the conclusion that metabolic immaturity in newborns and ingestion of proviral maternal metabolites in breast milk are the central determinants of heightened neonatal vulnerability to norovirus disease.

Neurodevelopment in preschool children exposed and unexposed to Zika virus in utero in Nicaragua: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Data on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of normocephalic children (born with normal head circumference) exposed to Zika virus in utero are scarce. We aimed to compare neurodevelopmental outcomes in normocephalic children up to age 48 months with and without Zika virus exposure in utero. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, we included infants from two cohorts of normocephalic children born in León and Managua, Nicaragua during the 2016 Zika epidemic. In León, all women pregnant during the two enrolment periods were eligible. In Managua, mother-child pairs were included from three districts in the municipality of Managua: all women who became pregnant before June 15, 2016, and had a due date of Sept 15, 2016 or later were eligible. Infants were serologically classified as Zika virus-exposed or Zika virus-unexposed in utero and were followed up prospectively until age 48 months. At 36 months and 48 months of age, the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) assessment was administered. Primary outcomes were MSEL early learning composite (ELC) scores at 30-48 months in León and 36-48 months in Managua. We used an inverse probability weighting generalised estimating equations model to assess the effect of Zika virus exposure on individual MSEL cognitive domain scores and ELC scores, adjusted for maternal education and age, poverty status, and infant sex. FINDINGS: The initial enrolment period for the León cohort was between Jan 31 and April 5, 2017 and the second was between Aug 30, 2017, and Feb 22, 2018. The enrolment period for the Managua cohort was between Oct 24, 2019, and May 5, 2020. 478 mothers (482 infants) from the León cohort and 615 mothers (609 infants) from the Managua cohort were enrolled, of whom 622 children (303 from the León cohort; 319 from the Managua cohort) were included in the final analysis; four children had microcephaly at birth and thus were excluded from analyses, two from each cohort. 33 (11%) of 303 children enrolled in León and 219 (69%) of 319 children enrolled in Managua were exposed to Zika virus in utero. In both cohorts, no significant differences were identified in adjusted mean ELC scores between Zika virus-exposed and unexposed infants at 36 months (between-group difference 1·2 points [95% CI -4·2 to 6·5] in the León cohort; 2·8 [-2·4 to 8·1] in the Managua cohort) or at 48 months (-0·9 [-10·8 to 8·8] in the León cohort; 0·1 [-5·1 to 5·2] in the Managua cohort). No differences in ELC scores between Zika virus-exposed and unexposed infants exceeded 6 points at any time between 30 months and 48 months in León or between 36 months and 48 months in Managua, which was considered clinically significant in other settings. INTERPRETATION: We found no significant differences in neurodevelopmental scores between normocephalic children with in-utero Zika virus exposure and Zika virus-unexposed children at age 36 months or 48 months. These findings are promising, supporting typical neurodevelopment in Zika virus-exposed normocephalic children, although additional follow-up and research is warranted. FUNDING: National Institute of Child Health and Development, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Fogarty International Center. TRANSLATION: For the Spanish translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Household Surveillance for Norovirus Gastroenteritis in a Nicaraguan Birth Cohort: A Nested Case-Control Analysis of Norovirus Risk Factors.

Norovirus causes a large proportion of pediatric acute gastroenteritis (AGE) worldwide, and no vaccines are currently available. To inform public health measures against norovirus gastroenteritis, we assessed risk factors in a case-control study nested in a birth cohort study in Nicaragua. Between June 2017 and January 2022, we followed children weekly for AGE episodes, and collected stool specimens from symptomatic children. Risk factors for AGE were collected during routine weekly visits. Norovirus was detected in stools using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and positive specimens were genotyped using Sanger sequencing. We included 40 norovirus-positive AGE children matched 1:2 to controls and conducted bivariate and multivariable analyses of norovirus AGE risk factors. Among typeable norovirus infections, GII.4 were more severe than non-GII.4 (four/twenty-one vs. one/nine) and accounted for all emergency visits and hospitalizations. Adjusted conditional logistic regression found that female sex and higher length-for-age Z score were protective against norovirus AGE; a dirt floor in the home, sharing cups or bottles, and recent contact with someone with AGE symptoms were associated with norovirus AGE, though estimates were highly imprecise. Reducing contact with symptomatic persons and with saliva or other bodily fluids on cups or floors could reduce infant norovirus incidence.

Timing and genotype distribution of symptomatic and asymptomatic sapovirus infections and re-infections in a Nicaraguan birth cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the timing and genotype distribution of symptomatic and asymptomatic sapovirus infections and re-infections in a Nicaraguan birth cohort. METHODS: Infants (N = 444) were enrolled at 10-14 days of life and observed weekly until 2 years of age. Stool samples were collected for each acute gastroenteritis (AGE) episode, and routine stool samples were collected monthly. Stool samples were tested for sapovirus using RT-qPCR, and positive samples were genotyped. RESULTS: A total of 348 children completed 2 years of AGE weekly surveillance; 93 (26.7%) of them experienced sapovirus AGE. Most infections occurred after 5 months of age and mainly during the second year of life (62.4%, 58/93) and early in the rainy season. Sapovirus screening in all stools from a subset of 67 children who consistently provided samples showed sapovirus infections in 91 of 330 (27.6%) AGE episodes and in 39 of 1350 (2.9%) routine stools. In this subset, the median age at the first sapovirus AGE was 11.2 months (95% CI, 9.3-15.9 months); 38 of 67 (57%) children experienced re-infections, 19 symptomatic and 19 asymptomatic. On average, sapovirus re-infections were reported 7.2 months after symptomatic and 5.3 months after asymptomatic infections. Genogroup GI (64%, 69/108) was the most common detected. Sapovirus GI.1 was more frequently detected in AGE stool samples than in routine stool samples (47.2%, 43/91 vs. 25.6%, 10/39; p 0.005), and re-infection with the same genotype was uncommon. DISCUSSION: The first sapovirus infections occurred at approximately 11 months of age, whereas the median time to symptomatic re-infection was 7.2 months. Re-infections with the same sapovirus genotype were rare during 2 years of life suggesting genotype-specific protection after natural infection.

Antibody Immunity to Zika Virus among Young Children in a Flavivirus-Endemic Area in Nicaragua.

Objective: To understand the dynamics of Zika virus (ZIKV)-specific antibody immunity in children born to mothers in a flavivirus-endemic region during and after the emergence of ZIKV in the Americas. Methods: We performed serologic testing for ZIKV cross-reactive and type-specific IgG in two longitudinal cohorts, which enrolled pregnant women and their children (PW1 and PW2) after the beginning of the ZIKV epidemic in Nicaragua. Quarterly samples from children over their first two years of life and maternal blood samples at birth and at the end of the two-year follow-up period were studied. Results: Most mothers in this dengue-endemic area were flavivirus-immune at enrollment. ZIKV-specific IgG (anti-ZIKV EDIII IgG) was detected in 82 of 102 (80.4%) mothers in cohort PW1 and 89 of 134 (66.4%) mothers in cohort PW2, consistent with extensive transmission observed in Nicaragua during 2016. ZIKV-reactive IgG decayed to undetectable levels by 6-9 months in infants, whereas these antibodies were maintained in mothers at the year two time point. Interestingly, a greater contribution to ZIKV immunity by IgG3 was observed in babies born soon after ZIKV transmission. Finally, 43 of 343 (13%) children exhibited persistent or increasing ZIKV-reactive IgG at ≥9 months, with 10 of 30 (33%) tested demonstrating serologic evidence of incident dengue infection. Conclusions: These data inform our understanding of protective and pathogenic immunity to potential flavivirus infections in early life in areas where multiple flaviviruses co-circulate, particularly considering the immune interactions between ZIKV and dengue and the future possibility of ZIKV vaccination in women of childbearing potential. This study also shows the benefits of cord blood sampling for serologic surveillance of infectious diseases in resource-limited settings.

Epidemiology of pediatric astrovirus gastroenteritis in a Nicaraguan birth cohort.

Background: Astrovirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide. However, few prospective studies have analyzed astrovirus in community-dwelling pediatric populations in low-and-middle-income countries. Methods: We assessed the incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics, genotypes, viral coinfections and seasonality of astrovirus gastroenteritis in 443 healthy Nicaraguan children born in 2017-2018, followed for 36 months. Children were recruited from maternity hospitals and birth records in an economically-diverse neighborhood of León, the second-largest city in Nicaragua. Astrovirus-positive episodes and genotypes were identified from diarrheal specimens with reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. Results: Of 1708 total specimens tested, eighty children (18%) experienced at least 1 astrovirus episode, and 9 experienced repeat episodes, mostly during the rainy season (May-October). The incidence of astrovirus episodes was 7.8/100 child-years (95% CI: 6.2, 9.8). Genotype-specific incidence of astrovirus also exhibited seasonality. Median age of astrovirus episode onset was 16 months (IQR 9, 23). Initial astrovirus episodes were not associated with protection against future episodes during the age span studied. Astrovirus cases were exclusively breastfed for a shorter period than uninfected children, and the human milk oligosaccharide lacto-N-fucopentaose-I was more concentrated in mothers of these children. Home toilets appeared to protect against future astrovirus episodes (HR=0.19, 95% CI 0.04-0.91). Human astrovirus-5 episodes, comprising 15% of all typed episodes, were associated with longer diarrhea and more symptomatic rotavirus co-infections. Conclusion: Astrovirus was a common cause of gastroenteritis in this cohort, and future studies should clarify the role of astrovirus genotype in clinical infection severity.

Visual findings in children exposed to Zika in utero in Nicaragua.

Knowledge regarding the frequency of ocular abnormalities and abnormal visual function in children exposed to Zika virus (ZIKV) in utero but born without congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) is limited. We hypothesized that children exposed to ZIKV in utero born without CZS may have visual impairments in early childhood. We performed ophthalmic examination between 16 and 21 months of age and neurodevelopment assessment at 24 months of age with the Mullen Scales of Early Learning test (MSEL) on children enrolled in a cohort born to women pregnant during and shortly after the ZIKV epidemic in Nicaragua (2016-2017). ZIKV exposure status was defined based on maternal and infant serological testing. Visual impairment was defined as abnormal if the child had an abnormal ophthalmic exam and/or low visual reception score in the MSEL assessment. Of 124 children included in the analysis, 24 (19.4%) were classified as ZIKV-exposed and 100 (80.6%) unexposed according to maternal or cord blood serology. Ophthalmic examination showed that visual acuity did not differ significantly between groups, thus, 17.4% of ZIKV-exposed and 5.2% of unexposed had abnormal visual function (p = 0.07) and 12.5% of the ZIKV-exposed and 2% of the unexposed had abnormal contrast testing (p = 0.05). Low MSEL visual reception score was 3.2-fold higher in ZIKV-exposed than unexposed children, but not statistically significant (OR 3.2, CI: 0.8-14.0; p = 0.10). Visual impairment (a composite measure of visual function or low MESL visual reception score) was present in more ZIKV-exposed than in unexposed children (OR 3.7, CI: 1.2, 11.0; p = 0.02). However, the limited sample size warrants future investigations to fully assess the impact of in utero ZIKV exposure on ocular structures and visual function in early childhood, even in apparently healthy children.