Detection and Genotyping of Viral Gastroenteritis in Hospitalized Children Below Five Years Old in Cairo, Egypt

This research aimed at studying the detection and genotyping of rotavirus, enteric adenovirus, and astrovirus in Egyptian hospitalized children below five years old, associated with acute diarrhea. In total, 119 fecal samples were obtained from the target population, admitted to Abu El Reesh hospital in Cairo, Egypt. Based on the findings, the detection rate of at least one viral infection was 36.7% in children below five years old, whereas, the overall detection rate of rotavirus, adenovirus, and coinfection was 31%, 6.7%, and 0.8%, respectively. No astrovirus infection was observed in this study. Spring was the peak season for rotavirus and enteric adenovirus. The results showed that higher rates of rotavirus (78%) and enteric adenovirus (100%) were identified in children less than two years of age. The dominant genotypes were G1P [8] (29.7%), G3P [8] (27%), and G1P [4] (18.9%) for rotaviruses and genotype 41 for enteric adenoviruses. Uncommon genotypes G1P [6] and G9P [8] were also detected in five (13.5%) and four (10.8%) samples, respectively. The present findings indicated the high incidence of rotavirus and adenovirus in children below two years old, thus, highlighting the necessity of vaccine development to reduce the incidence of acute viral gastroenteritis in Egypt.