Objectives:

This study aims to investigate the age and seasonal distribution of enteric adenovirus gastroenteritis in childhood.

Patients and methods:

The records of stool specimens of a total of 2,422 patients (968 females, 1454 males; mean age 3.6 years; range 0 to 16 years) admitted to our hospital with the complaint of acute gastroenteritis between January 2009 and December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Adenovirus serotype 40-41 antigens in the stool specimens were investigated through the immunochromatographic test.

Results:

Of a total of 2,422 stool specimens, 170 were found to have viral antigens. Most of the patients were between 0 and 2 years old (n=106; 62%). Enteric adenovirus infection was mostly seen during spring (8%) and it reached peak during August (11.2%).

Conclusion:

The detection of adenoviruses in acute gastroenteritis is important to prevent unnecessary antibiotic usage and to reduce the development of antibacterial resistance.

Keywords: