Detection of Rotavirus and Enteric Adenovirus Antigens in Outpatients with Gastroenteritis

Objective: One of the most important reasons of mortality, especially in childhood, is infectious diarrheas. As their epidemiology is not well known in Turkey, the aim of this study is to characterize the distribution of gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus and adenovirus by age groups. Material and Methods: Determination of rotavirus and adenovirus antigens in stool samples of 2.962 patients admitted to MESA hospital with the diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis between January 2005 and June 2008 as carried out by the immunochromatographic method. Results: 605 of 2.962 stool samples were found to have viral antigens. 483 of those positive samples were found to be positive for rotavirus, and 77 of them were found to be positive for adenovirus. Forty five of the samples tested were positive for both virus antigens. Additionally, rotavirus and adenovirus associated gastroenteritis was observed most frequently in the 0-5 year-old group; and rotavirus was more common during winter, while adenovirus was observed throughout the year. Conclusion: In this study, it was shown that rotavirus and adenovirus were more significant causes of gastroenteritis, especially in winter among 0-5-year old group. It must also be stated that rapid and effective diagnostic methods are important to prevent unnecessary antibiotic usage, and to reduce the development of antibacterial resistance.