Adenovirus and Rotavirus in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis

Aim: Infectious diarrhea is one of the most important causes of mortality during childhood period in our country. Little is known about the epidemiology of rotavirus and adenovirus infections in Turkey. With this study, we aimed to determine the incidence of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus gastroenteritis in patients admitted to our pediatrics outpatient clinic. Material and Method: Stool specimens of 307 cases, who admitted to our pediatrics outpatient clinic during April 2004 and March 2005 due to diarrhea, were analyzed. Group A rotavirus and adenovirus serotype 40-41 were investigated in the stool specimens with the immunochromatographic test. Results: In 113 of the 307 stool specimens, viral antigens were determined. Of these 113 specimens, adenovirus was identified in 14.9 %, rotavirus in 13.7 %, both rotavirus and adenovirus in 8.2 %. Viral gastroenteritis cases were mostly seen during early spring and winter. The incidence of dehydration was significantly more common in rotavirus cases. Conclusion: Although rotavirus is the most common etiologic agent in viral gastroenteritis, rate of adenoviral gastroenteritis was comparable to that of rotavirus in our study. So, it is advisable to look also for adenovirus antigens since enteric adenoviruses have been recognized as an important cause of gastroenteritis in children.