Viral agents of acute gastroenteritis in hospitalized children in Greece

Authors: Levidiotou, S.; Gartzonika, C.; Papaventsis, D.; Christaki, C.; Priavali, E.; Zotos, N.; Kapsali, E.; Vrioni, G.

Source: Clinical Microbiology & Infection, Volume 15, Number 6, June 2009 , pp. 596-598(3)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Buy & download fulltext article:

You have access to the full text article on a website external to ingentaconnect.

Please click here to view this article on Wiley Online Library.

You may be required to register and activate access on Wiley Online Library before you can obtain the full text. If you have any queries please visit Wiley Online Library

Abstract:

A 6-year study of stool samples from 4604 children hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis was conducted to investigate the role of enteric viruses as a cause of gastroenteritis in north-west Greece. Rotaviruses, noroviruses, adenoviruses and astroviruses were detected in 21.35%, 4%, 3.5% and 2.35%, respectively, by enzyme immunoassays and molecular techniques. Molecular techniques enhanced overall diagnostic efficacy by 2.5%, and by c. 10% each for rotavirus and adenovirus. Rotavirus was the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis, usually associated with severe illness. Mixed infections were found in 4.4% of positive specimens, and rotavirus plus astrovirus represented the most frequent co-infection (55.5%). This first study on the epidemiology of viral gastroenteritis in Greece shows that recent advances in the diagnosis of viral enteropathogens may have only marginal effects on overall diagnostic efficacy, and thus the impact of viral agents causing sporadic gastroenteritis in public health cannot be fully evaluated.

Keywords: Adenovirus; astrovirus; child; gastroenteritis; Greece; norovirus; rotavirus

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.02855.x

Publication date: 2009-06-01