Akut Viral Gastroenteritli Çocuklarda COVID-19 Pandemisi Öncesi ve Sırasında Rotavirüs ve Enterik Adenovirüs Sıklığının Araştırılması

Abstract

Aim: Rotavirus and enteric adenovirus are common causes of acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide. With the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic, measures for pandemic management have also affected frequency of other viral agents. The aim of this study was to investigate changing antigen positivity pattern of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus before and during pandemic and to determine its distribution according to age groups, gender and season of admittance. 
 Material and Method: Test results of 14670 stool samples of pediatric patients with gastroenteritis between January 2019-June 2021 were evaluated retrospectively. Rotavirus and enteric adenovirus antigens were detected by immunochromatography.
 Results: The positivity rates of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus antigen were 9.5% and 1.6%, respectively, before pandemic. A statistically significant decrease was detected for positivity rates of both these viruses during pandemic. Rotavirus antigen positivity significantly increased in 0-2 age group during pandemic (72.9%) compared to pre-pandemic period (70.4%) and significantly decreased from 4.1% to 3.5% in age group of 8-14 during pandemic. Distribution of adenovirus antigen positivity according to age groups did not differ significantly. There was no significant association between period and gender in terms of positivity rates. In pre-pandemic winter, rotavirus and adenovirus positivity rates were found to be significantly higher than in other seasons whereas during pandemic, positivity rates significantly increased in spring and summer.
 Conclusion: Frequencies of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus have shown a significant decrease during pandemic. Infection control measures have play an important role in reducing incidence of enteric viruses as well as SARS-CoV-2.