Detection of Rotavirus and Enteric Adenovirus among children with Acute Gastroenteritis admitted to Benghazi Pediatric Hospital

Abstract

<jats:p>Rotavirus A and enteric adenovirus are common causes of acute gastroenteritis (AGE),
especially in children under five years of age worldwide. This study aimed to detect the
incidence of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus antigens in stool specimens of children with AGE
admitted to a Benghazi pediatric hospital between February and April 2019. The presence of
rotavirus and adenovirus antigens in the samples was tested using an
immunochromatographic method (ICT). Between the 273 stool samples, 119 (43.58%) were
positive for viruses causing AGE. Rotavirus 74 (27.1%) was the most frequently detected,
followed by adenovirus 45 (16.5%). However, 22 (8.1%) of the samples were detected to be
positive for both virus antigens (co-infection)</jats:p>