Eight different viral agents in childhood acute gastroenteritis

Introduction: Viral gastroenteritis is the most frequent cause of gastroenteritis seen in childhood. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Astrovirus, Rotavirus, Adenovirus, Enterovirus, Norovirus, Parechovirus, Aichivirus, and Sapovirus agent in children with acute gastroenteritis in our region. Material and Methods: Patients with acute gastroenteritis between the ages of 1 month and 17 years were included in the study. Fecal specimens of 240 children with diarrhea who were evaluated at the Pediatric Clinics of İnönü University Medical Faculty during a year (between January 2012 and January 2013) were investigated for the presence of Astrovirus, Rotavirus, Adenovirus, Enterovirus, Norovirus, Parechovirus, Aichivirus, and Sapovirus with Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results: Viral agents were determined in 131 (54,58%) samples. The distribution of viral agents was as follows: 56 (42,75%) Norovirus, 44 (33,59%) Rotavirus, 29 (22,14%) Enterovirus, 21 (16,03%) Adenovirus, 21 (16,03%) Parechovirus, 5 (3,82%) Sapovirus, and 1 (0,76%) Aichivirus. Astrovirus was not detected. In 38,75% of patent single viral agent and in 15,83% of patent multiple viral agent were detected. In children with multiple viral agent, duration of hospitalization was longer than the others (p<0,001). Rotavirus, Adenovirus, Norovirus, and Parechovirus was most frequent at the age between 7 and 24 months. The frequency of Enterovirus at the age between 7 and 24 months was same as the frequency at the age more than 24 months. The frequency of Sapovirus at the age between 0 and 6 months was same as the frequency at the age between 7 and 24 months. The highest rate of Rotavirus infection was detected in winter, with a peak incidence during December and January. The highest rate of Norovirus was detected in summer, with a peak incidence during June and July. The highest rate of Enterovirus was detected in July. The highest rate of Sapovirus was detected in autumn, with a peak incidence during September and October. Parechovirus was detected only between July and December. Aichivirus was detected in only one sample in July. However, there was no difference in monthly distribution of Adenovirus. Conclusion: The results of our study determined that Norovirus and Rotavirus are the most frequent cause of gastroenteritis seen in childhood gastroenteritis in our region. Keywords: Astrovirus, Rotavirus, Adenovirus, Enterovirus, Norovirus, Parechovirus, Aichivirus, Sapovirus, Gastroenteritis, PCR.