Affiliations: Pediatric Research Center, Department of Pediatrics,
School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran | Department of Microbiology, Tehran University of
Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Note: [] Correspondence: Rahim Barari Savadkoohi, M.D., Pediatric
Research Center, Amirkola Children Hospital No 19, Shafa St, Amirkola, Babol,
Mazandaran, 47317-41151, Iran. Tel.: +98 111 3242151 5; Fax: +98 111 3240656;
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Viral gastroenteritis is considered a significant cause of death and
is a common cause of hospitalization worldwide. This study was performed to
assess the role of rota, adeno and astrovirus in children with acute diarrhea
in one main children's hospital in Amirkola, Babol North of Iran. In this
cross-sectional study, stool specimens from 208 children suffering from acute
diarrhea referred to Amirkola children's hospital were tested for the presence
of rota, adeno and astrovirus by a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme
immunoassay. Demographic data were gathered by a questionnaire. The prevalence
of viral causes of acute gastroenteritis was reported by relative frequency.
Rota, adeno and astrovirus antigens were detected in 61.1%, 2.9% and
2.4% of patients respectively. Infants between 6 and 12 months of age were
most frequently affected by rotavirus (29.8%) (P< 0.03). Rotavirus
infection was significantly less frequent in summer and spring than winter and
autumn (P< 0.0001). No significant difference was observed
in rotavirus infection between male and female but the prevalence of adenovirus
in girls was significantly higher than boys (P< 0.05).
Rotavirus can be regarded as a major etiologic agent of acute diarrhea in
children less than two years old at Amirkola children's hospital, Babol.
Immunization may protect the children before their first symptomatic
infection.
