Molecular identification of adenovirus (serotype 40, 41) causing diarrhea among childern in Kirkuk

Diarrhea is an important disease due to its morbidity and mortality, which is frequently encountered in childhood, especially in developing countries such as Iraq. A total of 120 patients aged between 1 day and 5 years who applied to Kirkuk Children's Hospital between April 15, 2022 and September 15, 2022 were included in this study. In addition, 60 healthy individuals from the same age groups were included in the study. Stool samples were collected from sick and healthy individuals to be used in real-time PCR for the reveal of adenovirus serotypes 40 and 41. The study showed that 26.67% of the diarrhea patients suffered from adenovirus, as they showed a positive AdV 40/41 result with PCR infection compared to 1.67% in the control group, and 53.13% of AdV 40/41 infection in children younger than 1 year old. Results from this study showed that PCR+ for AdV 40/41 was higher in children, especially those living in rural areas, eating from street vendors and using tap water. Clinical symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain and vomiting were frequently observed in these children. As a result, it is seen that diseases such as diarrhea are directly related to hygiene, and in developing countries such as Iraq, food and water hygiene is important in children at early ages.