Investigation of rotavirus and adenovirus antigen test results worked at Bursa Uludag University Hospital Medical Microbiology Laboratory and the effect of COVID-19 pandemic measures as retrospective

Viral gastroenteritis is among the significant causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Rotavirus and adenovirus are the primary cause of viral gastroenteritis. Viral gastroenteritis are influenced by environmental conditions. The present study aimed to investigate the results of rotavirus and adenovirus antigen tests at the Medical Microbiology Laboratory of Uludag University Hospital and evaluation of the change of these pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of rotavirus and adenovirus antigene test results of 9831 stool samples of patients which applied to various departments of Bursa Uludağ University Hospital with a preliminary diagnosis of gastroenteritis between March 2018 and February 2022 were evaluated. For the detection of antigens Acro Rapid Test (Acro Biontech, ABD) is used which works with immunochromatographic method. Demographical, clinical qualifications of the patients and other tests results of stool samples are obtained from electronic hospital system retrospectively. The data were compared by dividing two groups, before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the pandemic period. Pre-pandemic rotavirus positivity was 10.4% and adenovirus positivity was 7.5%. However, both rotavirus (5.1%) and adenovirus (3.5%) positivity decreased significantly during the pandemic (p=0.001). Both rotavirus and adenovirus were detected in 3.2% of the samples. The gender, age, and direct microscopic examination results among rotavirus- and adenovirus-positive patients were similar. It was found that positivity rates did not significantly differ by age group. Besides, rotavirus positivity was highest in spring and winter (p=0.005). Adenovirus positivity was higher in spring and summer, but the positivity rates did not significantly differ by season (p=0.167). Overall, it was concluded that social measures and changing behavior models in combating the COVID-19 pandemic decreased rotavirus and adenovirus gastroenteritis. Thus, it is evident that sanitation and isolation significantly reduce the frequency of viral gastroenteritis.