Role of routine laboratory markers in the diagnosis of rotavirus and adenovirus gastroenteritis

Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate and estimate the additional and auxiliary diagnostic value of routine laboratory parameters in patients with acute diarrhea caused by rotavirus and adenovirus. Methods/ patients: A total of 6784 patients diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis were evaluated. Rotavirus and adenovirus infection was diagnosed via a Qualitative immunochromatographic combo rapid cassette antigen test. Complete blood count and biochemical blood tests were performed in all the patients and were compared between the groups according to the positivity or negativity of the virus. Results: Rotavirus diarrhea was diagnosed in 16.8% and adenovirus diarrhea in 3.2% of patients. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and mean cell volume (MCV) levels were lower, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly higher in rotavirus positive cases. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher, and lymphocyte to monocyte ratio was significantly lower in positive rotavirus cases than negative ones 2.96 and 2.56, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusions: Hematological and biochemical parameters may assist in diagnosing and distinguishing rotaviral and adenoviral gastroenteritis, especially in low-resource environments. Keywords: adenovirus; children; diarrhea; laboratory markers; rotavirus