Publication:

Rotavirus in diarrhoeic children under-five attending a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai, India

Background Diarrhoeal diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children requiring hospitalization in developing countries. Rotavirus is the most common cause of acute diarrhoea among under-five children. Etiological diagnosis of diarrhoea would enable appropriate management of patients while limiting the spread of drug resistant pathogens. This study was undertaken to determine presence of rotavirus and other diarrhoeal pathogens in under-five diarrhoeic children attending a tertiary care hospital, and the related clinical presentations.

Methods 120 stool samples of under-five children with acute diarrhoea, attending the OPD and indoor services of a tertiary care hospital, were studied over one year. Rotavirus antigen was detected using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Bacterial and parasitic pathogens were detected using standard microbiological techniques.

Results Out of 120 stool samples tested, 36 were positive for Rota virus antigen. Bacterial isolates included E. coli (25), Vibrio cholerae (12) and Aeromonas species (1). Parasites were observed in nine samples and multiple pathogens in nine.

Conclusions Rotavirus continues to be a major cause of childhood diarrhoea. As antibiotics have no role in the management of viral and parasitic diarrhoeas, etiological diagnosis is imperative for proper management of diarrhoea and prevention of indiscriminate use of antibiotics.