Detection of Enteroviruses in Children with Acute Diarrhea

Diarrhea is one of the most significant diseases in children, causing morbidity and mortality worldwide. Diarrhea is caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites. There are several viruses that can cause diarrhea, including some groups of enteroviruses that have a significant role in acute diarrhea in children.

This study was conducted to evaluate the presence of enteroviruses in the stool of children with diarrhea.

We collected 85 stool samples including 50 (58.82%) from males and 35 (41.17%) from females with acute diarrhea. All the stool samples proved negative for bacterial and parasitic pathogens. The RNA was extracted from the stool samples and cDNA was prepared. The semi-nested PCR was carried out for the detection of the 5’-UTR region of enteroviruses. To determine the enterovirus serotypes, the sequences of semi-nested PCR product was performed using conserved primers for the 5’-UTR region.

Overall, 21/85 (24.7%) patients including 12/50 (24%) males and 9/35 (25.71%) females showed positive results for enteroviruses (P = 0.3). Based on the results of sequencing, one of the isolated serotypes was identified as coxsackievirus A6 and the other isolated serotype was echovirus 9.

Overall, 21/85 (24.7%) children with acute diarrhea were infected with enteroviruses. The distribution of enteroviruses was not significantly different between male and female patients. The results of sequencing indicated that one of the isolated serotypes was coxsackievirus A6 and the other isolated serotype was echovirus 9. The remaining 64/85(75.29%) isolates were negative for enteroviruses. The role of other viral gastroenteritis agents including rotaviruses, noroviruses, calicivirus, astrovirus, and adenoviruses was not explored that needs further investigation.