Infectious Disease
A Prospective Study of Acute Gastroenteritis and Norovirus in the United States Emma Viscidi* Emma Viscidi Mark A Schmidt Holly C Groom Judy L Donald Matthew T Slaughter Sarah Vertrees
Background and Objectives: Norovirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) worldwide. Each year, an estimated 1.31 million deaths occur globally due to AGE, with ~200,000 related to norovirus infection. Noroviruses are among the top five leading causes of AGE hospitalizations and deaths in the US. Few laboratory-based data are available on the burden of noroviruses in sporadic cases of AGE in the US. The primary purpose of this study is to characterize the epidemiology and impact of medically attended AGE (MA-AGE).
Methods: The Study of Acute Gastroenteritis (SAGE) is an all-age, prospective surveillance study of Kaiser Permanente Northwest members living in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington. The study will assess the incidence and severity of MA-AGE, including healthcare utilization, and examine viral pathogens (including norovirus), determine norovirus genotypes, and describe serologic responses associated with norovirus. Approximately 2,000 individuals of any age will be enrolled during an 8-month surveillance period from November 15, 2023, through July 31, 2024. Symptomatic individuals will submit a stool specimen for testing and self-collect blood specimens, and complete a survey on signs and symptoms, vaccine attitudes and beliefs, exposure risk factors, and household transmission.
Results: As of December 11, 2023, we have recruited 1,848 individuals with MA-AGE, 92 (5.0%) of whom enrolled and were sent stool and blood sample collection kits. To date, 48 (52%) kits have been returned. Of those returned, testing has been completed on 24 (50%). Norovirus and sapovirus were detected in 2 (8%) samples each.
Conclusion: SAGE will provide critical information on the incidence and severity of MA-AGE in the community in a population-based sample of US participants. This study can increase our understanding of the burden and impact of AGE and norovirus infection, as well as serologic responses to infection.