ABSTRACT

Acute gastroenteritis is an important cause of hospital admissions during childhood. The epidemiology of enteric adenovirus infections in Turkey is not well known. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of adenovirus gastroenteritis in patients admitted to our pediatric emergency department.

Stool specimens of 1941 children, who admitted to our pediatric emergency department during one year period (2007) with acute gastroenteritis, were analyzed. Adenovirus serotype 40-41 antigens were investigated in the stool specimens with the immunochromatographic test. All data was collected retrospectively from recorded files.

In 180 of the 1941 stool specimens (9.3%), adenovirus serotype 40-41 antigens were determined. The highest rate of enteric adenovirus infection was detected from June to September, with a peak incidence during August (20.6%) and July (18.4%), whereas lowest during winter months, especially in October, November and December (2.8%). The incidence of enteric adenovirus positive cases was higher among children between 0-2 years of age (56.7%).

In conclusion, adenovirus is an important cause in children with acute gastroenteritis and it should be investigated as routinely, especially in summer months.

Keywords: Child, enteric adenovirus, immunochromatography