ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of rotavirus and adenovirus in patients with acute gastroenteritis referred to a tertiary hospital in Northern Cyprus and to investigate the distribution of viral infections according to age, sex, and season of the year.

In this retrospective study, a total of 503 stool samples for rotavirus and 490 samples for adenovirus detection from 527 patients were received and examined in the hospital microbiology laboratory between September 2015 and September 2018. A qualitative immunochromatographic rapid antigen test was used for viral antigen screening in stool specimens collected from participants.

In 96 out of 527 patients with acute gastroenteritis in the age group 0–92 years, at least one of the rotavirus and/or adenovirus antigens was detected as positive. Sixty-four (12.7%) of 503 screened patients were positive for the rotavirus antigen, while the adenovirus positivity was detected in 47 (9.6%) of 490 patients. Ten (1.9%) patients were positive for both viral antigens. The positivity of adenovirus was significantly higher in males than in females (p<0.05; p=0.038). Rotavirus-positive (n=30, 46.9%) and adenovirus-positive (n=31, 66%) cases were identified as the most common in the age group 0–2 years. Both viral antigens were observed most frequently in the summer season (rotavirus, adenovirus: p>0.05; p=0.215, p=0.518, respectively).

Acute viral gastroenteritis was most prevalent in the age group 0–2 years among the patients. Rotavirus and adenovirus gastroenteritis could be detected during all seasons in Northern Cyprus, highlighting the importance of rotavirus surveillance particularly in the summer months.