Abstract

VIRAL AGENT THAT CAUSING DIARRHOEA AMONG CHILDREN IN AL-NAJAF PROVINCE, IRAQ

Aqeel A. AL-Sadawi*, Mahdi Al-Ammar and Nabil S. Tuwaij

Abstract

Enteric viruses are major etiologic agents of acute gastroenteritis among infants and young children worldwide. The main objective of the study was to determine investigate the role of enteric viruses in acute diarrhea in the country. A total of 200 stool specimens were collected from children aged 1 month to 8 years with clinical signs of diarrhea who attended to AL-Zahra Teaching Hospital for children in Al-Najaf province, during the period from 1, October, 2016 to20, January, 2017. All specimens were tested for detect enteric viruses using rapid test device (chromate-graphic immunoassay). The result showed that at least one viral agent was detected in 24/200(12%) specimens were positive for enteric viral agent compare 176(88%) were negative. The data revealed highest frequency among males 15(62.5%) compared with females 9(37.5%). The results showed the diarrhea was more frequency in children less than 2 years 12(50%) compared with other ages. The results gave 29 virus (some more one in same specimen) as following, the prevalence of adenovirus was10(34.4%), astrovirus 3(10.4%) and 8(27.6%) was for rotavirus and norovirus. Positive specimens for adenovirus was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primer. However, the molecular results showed 8(80%) of adenovirus carry the Hexon gene.

Keywords: Astrovirus, rotavirus and norovirus.