Rotavirus Infection in Infants and Young Children

Abstract

ABSTRACTRotaviruses are the major cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine (1) the involvement of rotavirus in acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children up to 3 years of age in geographical region of the study area, (2) the seasonal prevalence of rotavirus-related AGE and (3) the presence of asymptomatic rotavirus infection in children attending day care centers. A two-year retrospective study was carried out on 250 children with AGE aged 6 months to 3 years. Ninety children were hospitalized with pronounced disease symptoms, and 160 children with milder symptoms received ambulatory treatment. The investigation included 860 healthy children attending day care centers in Nis as well. A single stool sample was taken from each child for analysis. The samples were identified as rotavirus positive by antigen detection strategies, including latex agglutination (LA) tests. Out of 250 episodes of acute gastroenteritis 68 (27.20%) were associated with rotavirus antigen detection. Of 160 children with episodes of AGE treated ambulatory, rotavirus antigen was detected in 30 (18.75%). Of 90 children hospitalized with more severe AGE, higher percentage of rotavirus antigen-positive was recorded in 38 (42.22%). In the group of 860 healthy children attending day care centers in Nis, asymptomatic rotavirus infection was confirmed in 48 children (5.58%). The highest prevalence of rotavirus infection was observed in the period October-December (41.17%), and the lowest in the summer months July-September (14.71%). Rotaviruses are involved in a high percentage in the etiology of AGE in geographical region of the study area.