Intestinal damage in rotavirus and adenovirus gastroenteritis assessed by D-xylose malabsorption

Abstract

The absorption of D-xylose infused into the duodenum was assessed in infants with acute gastroenteritis. 1-hour blood-xylose levels were low in 6 patients found to harbour rotavirus in the small intestinal aspirate. Normal levels (> 1 -26 mmol/l) were obtained in the absence of virus particles in the small intestine in a further 6 patients: in 3 of these adenovirus or rotavirus was recovered from the stools. Three patients with adenovirus in the small intestinal juice and ill with acute gastroenteritis also had low xylose levels. This finding supports earlier epidemiological studies that adenovirus may be a causative agent of acute infantile gastroenteritis. The association between virus in the small intestine and xylose malabsorption may indicate mucosal damage. Formal proof of this is awaited. We thank Dr. M. M. Tarlow, under whose care patients were admitted; Dr. H. G. Sammons and staff, Clinical Chemistry Department, East Birmingham Hospital, for xylose measurements; and Professor C. M. Anderson for her continuing support. N.E. was in receipt of a grant from the Children's Research Fund, Liverpool.