Abstract:

Objectives: Infectious gastroenteritis is one of most important causes of morbidity and mortality in children. Rotavirus and enteric adenoviruses are the most important agents of infectious gastroenteritis. The epidemiology of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus gastroenteritis is not well known in our region. This study was aimed to determine the frequency of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus gastroenteritis in pediatric patients admitted to our hospital.Materials and Methods: Fresh stool specimens of total 955 pediatric patients admitted to our hospital during January 2010 and June 2011 due to acute gastroenteritis were studied. Rotavirus and enteric adenovirus antigens were investigated in the fresh stool specimens with the latex agglutination test.Results: In 205 (21%) of fresh stool specimens, viral antigens were determined. Of these 205 specimens, rotavirus was established in 124 (13%), enteric adenovirus in 81 (8.5%), both rotavirus and enteric adenovirus in 43 (4.5%). The viral antigen positive cases were most frequently seen during autumn and winter months in children between 2 age.Conclusion: Rotavirus is most important agent in acute gastroenteritis of childhood in our region too. It should be investigated routinely in fresh stool specimens, especially in the autumn and winter months.

Keywords: