Rotavirus is a major cause of infectious
intestinal disease in young children; a substantial prevalence of
asymptomatic infection has been reported across all age groups. In this study, the authors determined characteristics of asymptomatic
rotavirus infection and potential risk factors for
infection. Healthy persons were recruited at random from the general population of England during the Study of Infectious
Intestinal Disease in England (1993-1996).
Rotavirus infection was identified using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare exposures reported by participants with
rotavirus infection with those of participants who tested negative. Multiple imputation was used to account for missing responses in the data set. The age-adjusted prevalence of asymptomatic
rotavirus infection was 11%; prevalence was highest in children under age 18 years. Attendance at
day care was a risk factor for asymptomatic
rotavirus infection in children under age 5 years; living in a household with a baby that was still in diapers was a risk factor in older adults. The results suggest that asymptomatic
rotavirus infection is transmitted through the same route as rotavirus infectious
intestinal disease: person-to-person contact. More work is needed to understand the role of
asymptomatic infections in transmission leading to rotavirus disease.