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Rotavirus and bacterial enteropathogens causing acute diarrhea
M Ballal1, Jyothirlatha, S Kotigadde
1Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal.
Insights
Rotavirus is a common cause of acute diarrhea in children aged 0-5 years, particularly in infants 7-12 months old. Bacterial pathogens like Salmonella and Shigella also contribute significantly to childhood diarrheal diseases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Acute diarrheal illness is a major health concern in young children globally.
- Rotavirus is a leading viral cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children.
- Bacterial enteropathogens also play a significant role in pediatric diarrheal diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the etiology of acute diarrheal illness in children aged 0-5 years.
- To determine the prevalence of rotavirus and bacterial enteropathogens in pediatric diarrhea cases.
- To identify the age distribution of rotavirus and specific bacterial infections.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted over one year in pediatric wards.
- Faecal samples were analyzed for rotavirus using the slide latex agglutination test.
- Bacterial enteropathogens, including Salmonella and Shigella, were also identified.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus was detected in 14.9% of diarrheal faecal samples.
- The highest incidence of rotavirus occurred in children aged 7-12 months (57.5%).
- Salmonella enteritis was more prevalent in infants (0-6 months), and shigellosis in older children (37-60 months).
- A control group of 100 children without diarrhea showed 2% rotavirus positivity.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus is a significant cause of acute diarrhea in children under five.
- Age-specific patterns exist for rotavirus and bacterial enteropathogen infections.
- Continued surveillance for both viral and bacterial causes of diarrhea is essential for effective management.
Abstract:
The etiology of rotavirus in acute diarrhoeal illness in children 0-5 years of age, admitted to the Pediatric wards of Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Manipal was studied, over a period of one year. Rotavirus in the faecal samples detected by the slide latex agglutination test accounted for 14.9% of the diarrheas with maximum incidence in the 7-12 months of age group (57.5%). Bacterial enteropathogens continued to play a significant role in diarrheal diseases. Salmonella enteritis was found more in the age group 0-6 months and shigellosis in 37-60 months. In a control study of 100 children who had no diarrhea, 2 were found positive for rotaviruses.