Prevalence of Rotavirus and Adenovirus in a City Hospital in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the seasonal distribution of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus prevalence and demographic data of patients of all age groups who applied to our hospital with the complaint of acute gastroenteritis. A total of 12,840 patients aged 0-90 years, who applied to our hospital (Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital) with the complaint of acute gastroenteritis between 15 August 2018 and 18 October 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. The presence of rotavirus and adenovirus antigens was determined from stool samples by qualitative immunochromatographic method (Microcult-Rotavirus/Adenovirus Combo, Biotech China) in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Of the patients who applied with the complaint of acute gastroenteritis, 3,507 (27.3%) were infants, 9,087 (70.8%) were children, and 246 (1.91%) were adults. Of all patients, 1,350 (10.5%) were positive for at least one viral agent. Of patients with detected viral agents, 750 (55.6%) were male and 600 (44.4%) were female. Of the samples, 1,099 (8.56%) were positive for rotavirus, 199 (1.55) were positive for adenovirus, and 52 (0.40%) were positive for both pathogens. The positivity rate in men was 10% higher than in women. The positivity rates were highest in patients admitted in 2019 (5,915) for both rotavirus and adenovirus, 10.5% (622) and 2.23% (132) respectively. In the study, rotavirus positivity was highest in winter with 12.2% (270/2,216) and adenovirus positivity was highest with 2.12% (95/4,484) in summer. In the evaluation carried out according to age, gender, and season, the period in which viral gastroenteritis was seen at the highest rate was determined as "childhood". In the evaluation of gastroenteritis cases, it is important to know that viral agents are common, especially in the childhood age group, in addition to bacteriological and parasitological agents in stool samples in acute gastroenteritis infections and considering that there may be seasonal and periodic changes in the frequency of viral gastroenteritis. It was thought that unnecessary antibiotic use would be eliminated or minimized by replacing the lost fluid and electrolytes, which are the basic treatment of viral infections, following the correct identification of the causative agent.