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Prevalence of Acute Gastroenteritis Enteropathogens Among Hospitalized Children in Jordan: A Single-Center Study
Ashraf I Khasawneh1, Nisreen Himsawi1, Ashraf Sammour2
1Department of Microbiology, Pathology, and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan.
Insights
Norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus are the main causes of acute gastroenteritis in hospitalized children in Jordan. Viral co-infections were common, while bacterial and parasitic infections were less frequent, highlighting the need for surveillance and vaccination.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Public Health Epidemiology
Background:
- Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major cause of childhood illness globally, especially in developing nations.
- Viral agents like rotavirus (RoV), norovirus (NoV), and adenovirus (HAdV) are primary contributors to AGE.
- Understanding pathogen prevalence is crucial for effective public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of viral, bacterial, and parasitic enteric pathogens in hospitalized children with AGE in Northern Jordan.
- To analyze co-infections and their association with clinical presentation and disease severity.
Main Methods:
- Collection and analysis of 195 stool samples from hospitalized children with AGE.
- Utilized multiplex real-time qPCR assays for pathogen detection.
- Evaluated clinical symptoms, demographics, and pathogen-disease severity links.
Main Results:
- Viral pathogens predominated, with norovirus (27.2%), rotavirus (24.1%), and adenovirus (20.0%) being most common.
- Frequent co-infections observed, particularly among viral agents (RoV, HAdV, NoV GI).
- Bacterial (Salmonella 23.1%, Campylobacter 13.8%) and parasitic (Cryptosporidium 0.5%) infections were less prevalent.
Conclusions:
- Norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus are the leading causes of pediatric AGE in Jordan.
- Viral co-infections are significant, with bacterial/parasitic roles being minor.
- Emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance and rotavirus vaccination to reduce hospitalizations.
Background And Objectives:
Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) remains a significant cause of morbidity in children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Viral pathogens, including rotavirus (RoV), norovirus (NoV), and adenovirus (HAdV), are among the leading causes of AGE. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of viral, bacterial, and parasitic enteric pathogens associated with AGE among hospitalized children in Northern Jordan.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 195 stool samples were collected from hospitalized children with AGE during the winter seasons of 2022-2024. Multiplex real-time qPCR assays were performed to detect common pathogens. The prevalence of each pathogen was determined, and co-infections were analyzed. Clinical symptoms, demographic characteristics, and associations between specific pathogens and disease severity were evaluated.
Results:
Viral pathogens were the predominant cause of AGE, with NoV detected in 53 cases (27.2%; of which 19.0% were NoV GI and 8.2% NoV GII), followed by RoV (24.1%), HAdV (20.0%), HAstV (13.3%), and SaV (12.3%). Co-infections were observed in several cases, particularly among viral infections evoked by RoV, HAdV, and NoV GI. Bacterial and parasitic infections were less prevalent, with Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. detected in 23.1% and 13.8%, respectively. Additionally, Cryptosporidium was identified in two cases (0.5%).
Conclusions:
Viral pathogens, particularly NoV, RoV, and HAdV, are the leading causes of AGE among hospitalized children in Jordan. Co-infections among viral pathogens were common, whereas bacterial and parasitic infections played a limited role in the disease burden. These findings emphasize the importance of continued surveillance and vaccination efforts, particularly for RoV, to reduce AGE-related hospitalizations in children.
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