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Viral gastroenteritis in children hospitalised in Sicily, Italy

C Colomba1, S De Grazia, G M Giammanco

  • 1Istituto di Patologia Infettiva e Virologia, Università di Palermo, Piazza Montalto 8, 90134 Palermo, Italy. claudia.colomba@libero.it

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases : Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
|August 19, 2006
PubMed

Insights

In Italian children, viruses are the primary cause of severe gastroenteritis, with rotavirus being the leading cause of prolonged hospital stays. Norovirus is also a significant contributor to sporadic paediatric gastroenteritis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Virology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Acute gastroenteritis is a common illness in children.
  • Viral pathogens are significant causes of childhood gastroenteritis, particularly in hospitalised populations.
  • Understanding the aetiology and clinical impact of viral gastroenteritis is crucial for effective management and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the epidemiological and clinical features of acute viral gastroenteritis in hospitalised Italian children.
  • To identify the prevalence of various viral and bacterial pathogens causing acute diarrhoea in this cohort.
  • To assess the clinical severity and outcomes associated with different causative agents.

Main Methods:

  • Collection and analysis of 215 stool specimens from hospitalised children in Palermo between January and December 2003.
  • Testing for group A rotavirus, astrovirus, adenovirus, norovirus, enteropathogenic bacteria, and parasites.
  • Clinical data, including age, symptoms (vomiting, dehydration), and hospitalisation duration, were correlated with identified pathogens.

Main Results:

  • Viruses were detected in a significant proportion of cases: rotavirus (25.1%), norovirus (18.6%), astrovirus (7%), and adenovirus (6%). Bacterial agents were found in 17.2% of samples; no parasites were diagnosed.
  • Rotavirus gastroenteritis occurred in younger children compared to other viral infections.
  • Viral infections, particularly astrovirus and group A rotavirus, were associated with increased symptom severity and dehydration. Rotavirus was linked to prolonged hospitalisation.

Conclusions:

  • Viruses are the predominant cause of severe enteric illness in Italian children, with group A rotaviruses (G1-G4) playing a major role.
  • The findings support the relevance of rotavirus vaccines targeting types G1-G4.
  • Routine norovirus testing is recommended due to its significant contribution to sporadic paediatric gastroenteritis.

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