Diagnosis of viral gastroenteritis: limits and potential of currently available procedures

Abstract

The diagnostic approaches to viral gastroenteritis have evolved substantially over the past decades because of the advances in detection methods, the emergence of new pathogens, and the increase in diarrhea hospitalizations attributed to viruses, especially in young children in non-industrialized countries. Overall, these factors have lead to a relevant improvement of types and operating characteristics of diagnostic methods (including sensitivity and specificity), as well as turnaround time. In this review, clinical and laboratory approaches to the diagnosis of viruses causing gastroenteritis are presented; in particular, specimen collection and detection methods are reviewed and discussed, taking into account performance and limitations.

Analysis of viral diversity in stool samples from infants and children with acute gastroenteritis in Kuwait using Metagenomics approach

“…It is responsible for approximately three million deaths each year, causing high morbidity and mortality rate globally [14,15]. Although at least 25 different bacteria and protozoa can cause diarrhoea, more than 75% of cases found to be caused by viruses [16]. Viruses that can cause gastroenteritis include rotavirus, norovirus, enteric adenovirus, human astrovirus, and Sapporo virus [17,18].…”

Access to oral rehydration solution and zinc supplementation for treatment of childhood diarrhoeal diseases in Sudan

“…Diarrhoeal diseases create a global health burden with significant morbidity and mortality among children under 5 years in low and middle-income countries [ 1 – 3 ]. About half-a-million diarrhoeal disease-related deaths occur annually, with the highest rates of under-5 year child diarrhoea-related mortality recorded in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]. Despite improvements in standards of living, diarrhoeal diseases still account for significant economic and social losses [ 6 ].…”

Epidemiologic Factors in Pediatric Diarrhea Caused by Rotaviruses: Five-year Surveillance in Izmir, Turkey

“…Akut gastroenterit olgularında viral etkenler önemli bir paya sahiptir. En sık görülenler rotavirüs, adenovirüs, norovirüs ve astrovirüslerdir [10] . Yetişkinlerde klinik asemptomatik seyir gösterebilmekte ancak 6-24 ay arası dönemde çocuklarda ciddi klinik tablolara yol açabilmektedir [11] .…”