Abnormal Gastric Motor Function in Viral Gastroenteritis

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Abstract
Nausea and vomiting occur commonly with gastroenteritis caused by parvovirus-like agents. Infection results in histologic injury to the small bowel mucosa, but the gastric mucosa remains unaffected. Gastric emptying of liquids was studied serially in 10 [human] volunteers before and after ingestion of the parvovirus-like agents, Norwalk and Hawaii viruses. The 5 subjects who developed illness all showed marked delays in gastric emptying, while the 5 well subjects had no alteration of emptying. Five additional volunteers who developed Norwalk virus gastroenteritis underwent serial studies of gastric secretion of HC, pepsin and intrinsic factor. No change was detected in basal or betazole-stimulated secretion of these 3 substances during the course of illness. The nausea and vomiting accompanying this type of viral gastroenteritis may result from abnormal gastric motor function.