Abstract

Objective: Viral agents cause the majority of gastroenteritis cases in children under five. Rotavirus and adenovirus are the most common. This study determined the frequency of rotavirus and adenovirus antigen positivity in pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis. It also examined distribution by age, sex, and season.

Methods: Data from patients aged 0–18 years admitted to the hospital between January 2013 and December 2024 with a preliminary diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis and tested for rotavirus and adenovirus antigens were retrospectively analyzed. Fresh stool samples submitted to the medical microbiology laboratory were examined using an immunochromatographic test capable of simultaneously detecting rotavirus and adenovirus antigens (TEST-IT® Rota-Adeno [Türklab, İzmir, Türkiye]). Data were analyzed according to age group, sex, and season.

Results: Viral antigens were detected in 312 (18.1%) of the 1,725 samples analyzed. Of these, 222 (12.9%) were positive only for rotavirus, 61 (3.5%) only for adenovirus, and 29 (1.7%) for both viruses. Among the 251 patients with rotavirus positivity, 128 (51%) were male and 123 (49%) were female. Of the 90 patients with adenovirus positivity, 53 (58.9%) were male, and 37 (41.1%) were female. Antigen positivity was most frequently observed in the 3–5-year age group. Rotavirus positivity increased significantly during the spring months, defined as March through May (p<0.001), while no significant seasonal difference was observed for adenovirus positivity throughout the year (p=0.782).

Conclusion: Rotavirus and adenovirus are significant contributors to the etiology of acute gastroenteritis in the pediatric population. Accurate identification of these viral agents may help reduce unnecessary antibiotic use. Increased rotavirus vaccination coverage may decrease the incidence of severe clinical presentations and hospitalizations.