Frequency of Rotavirus and Adenovirus in Children with Diarrhea

ABSTRACT Aim: The aim of this study is retrospective evaluation of the frequency of rotavirus and adenovirus in stool, and their distribution according to gender, age and seasons in children with diarrhea admitted at outpatients or hospitalized in our hospital. Material and Methods: Stool samples of patients aged between 0-18 years received at the Medical Microbiology Laboratory between 2021–2022 were evaluated for rotavirus–adenovirus. Rotavirus and adenovirus antigens were determined qualitatively by immunochromatographic cassette test method. Chi-square test was used in the statistical analysis. Results: A total of 1148 stool samples of pediatric patients were received by our laboratory during these two years for rotavirus and adenovirus antigen test. Of 1148 patients, 8.6% were positive for rotavirus, 5.1% for adenovirus, and 0.6% for both rotavirus and adenovirus antigens. Rotavirus and adenovirus was positive in 7.2% and 5.6% of males, respectively, and 10.6% and 4.5% of females, and there were no statistically significant differences. Rotavirus was most frequently found in the age group 3-5 years (11.6%) and adenovirus was most frequently found in the age group 6-9 years (8.4%), with no significant difference. Rotavirus was most frequently detected in spring (12.9%) while adenovirus was found most frequently in winter (8.1%), without significant differences. Antigen positivity was 4.1% and 4.9% in outpatients for rotavirus and adenovirus, respectively, and 15.1% and 5.5% in hospitalized patients. Rotavirus positivity was significantly higher in hospitalized patients than outpatients, and adenovirus positivity did not show a significant difference. Conclusion: We found that rotavirus and adenovirus were significant agents causing diarrhea in children, especially those younger than 5 years old, and that its frequency increased in winter and spring, and as rotavirus is a cause of hospitalization, implementation of rotavirus vaccine into routine vaccination programs seem to be beneficial for patients.