Abstract:

Rotavirus is the major cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide and is the important agent of child deaths. Rotavirus infections represent in different clinical pictures ranging between mild diarrhea to serious cases requiring hospitalization. In addition to causing morbidity and mortality in children, rotavirus gastroenteritis creates a major economic burden on health care systems and families. To investigate the epidemiology of rotavirus infections in children with acute gastroenteritis in our region. Feces samples of 0- to 14-year-old children who were admitted to emergency department with acute gastroenteritis were examined in terms of rotavirus A antigen with the immunochromatographic method, using the manufacturer’s instructions. Viral antigens were detected in 318 of 3102 samples (10.2%). Of the patients, 179 (56.3%) were male and 139 (43.7%) female. The highest rate of rotavirus antigen positivity was observed in patients younger than 2 years (44.3%; n = 141). Positivity rate peaked in the January-February-March, especially in winter months, rotavirus is an important agent in children with acute gastroenteritis. Diarrhea due to rotavirus, the most common cause, can be detected from serogroup A antigen in the feces. It is possible to detect with the immunochromatographic method, which is a rapid testing method. immunochromatographic methods that can detect antigens from feces and diagnose diarrhea in a short time period is important. We believe that when patients present with diarrhea, diagnosed the viral factor accurately and quickly, which could also prevent unnecessary use of antibiotics.

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