Objective: Rotavirus and adenovirus are two of the most common infectious causes of childhood gastroenteritis which proceed with high morbidity and mortality especially in developing and developed countries. Rotavirus and adenovirus infections are seen all throughout the year worldwide. Although these viruses generally spread by faecal-oral route, airborne or droplet transmission has also been postulated for rotavirus infections. Analysis of viral antigen in stool samples is important for the diagnosis of rotavirus and adenovirus infections. This study was performed to determine the rate of positivity of rotavirus and adenovirus in stool specimens of 0-5 years old children with acute gastroenteritis.

Materials and Methods: Stool samples were collected between September 2010 and September 2011 from 340 children suffering from gastroenteritis. Rotavirus and adenovirus antigens were detected by the qualitative immunochromatographic assay CerTest Rota-Adeno Card Test (CerTest, Biotec, Spain). Rotavirus and adenovirus frequency were statistically evaluated according to seasonal distribution, age and gender of patients.

Results: Viral antigens were determined in 117 (34.4%) patients. Rotavirus was positive in 88 (25.9%) and adenovirus in 28 (8.2%) samples. Stool sample of one patient (0.3%) revealed both rotavirus and adenovirus positivity. Positive rotavirus antigen was detected most frequently in winter and in 5-24 month-old pediatric groups (p<0.05). No significant correlation was detected between adenovirus antigen-positivity and seasons and age (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between viral antigen positivity and gender (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that rotavirus was a frequent cause of acute gastroenteritis in children in Erzurum area. Thus investigation of rotavirus and adenovirus antigens in fresh stool samples in patients with acute gastroenteritis especially during autumn and winter is important to prevent inapproprate antibacterial and antiparasitic drug use.