Norovirus genogroup correlation with acute diarrhea severity in Indonesian pediatric patients aged 1-60 months: a cross-sectional study

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between norovirus genogroup and severity of acute diarrhea in pediatric patients at the Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 31 participants aged 1-60 months admitted to the hospital with acute diarrhea from April 2012 to March 2013. Norovirus genogroups (GI and II) were identified from patient stool using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Severity was measured using the Ruuska and Vesikari scoring system. Results: In total, 91 stool samples were obtained, of which 31 (19%) were norovirus positive. Norovirus GI was found in one sample with mild diarrhea. Norovirus GII was found in 30 samples (96.8%); one sample with mild diarrhea (3.3%), 20 samples with moderate diarrhea (66.7%), and nine samples with severe diarrhea (30%). Conclusion: Norovirus GII was the most prevalent cause of acute diarrhea and 30% of the cases manifested as severe diarrhea.