150 specimens from suspected herpes simplex genital and skin lesions were received in virus transport medium. They were inoculated into Hep-2 cell monolayers, examined for the presence of virus by cytopathic effect (CPE), direct immunoperoxidase (DIP) and direct immunofluorescence (DIF). Of 39 (26.0%) virus-positive specimens by CPE, 37 (24.7%) were HSV-positive by DIP and 36 (24.0%) by DIF staining. DIP staining had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 99.1%, positive predictive value of 97.3% and negative predictive value of 100% in relation to DIF as a standard test. Of 39 specimens positive by CPE, only 25.6% were HSV-positive within 24 h post-inoculation compared to 94% HSV-positive by DIP and DIF staining at the same time.
A prospective clinical study comparing 74 cases of rotavirus-associated diarrhoea and 100 cases of non-rotavirus-associated diarrhoea revealed a higher incidence of vomiting to be the only significant difference in the former. Bloody stools were seen in about 5-10%, fever in about two-thirds and respiratory symptoms in a quarter of cases regardless of aetiology. The overwhelming majority had mild dehydration of the isonatremic type. Hypokalemia was noted in a quarter of the cases in both groups.
Keywords: General Hospital Kuala Lumpur
The prevalence of human rotavirus enteritis in children admitted to the gastroenteritis ward of the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital was studied in 1982. Human rotavirus in the stool of the patients was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The survey showed that rotavirus enteritis in children were observed throughout the year, with two broad peaks of rotavirus infection occurring around March and September. The lowest incidence was recorded in July, however, no prolonged period of low prevalence of rotavirus enteritis was observed. The average prevalence for the whole of 1982 was 40% of the total diarrhoeal cases. No significant relationship was noted between the prevalence of the disease and rainfall.