Molecular Detection of Some Viral Gastroenteritis Which Transmitted by Food in Children from Wasit Province

Aim of study to detect the viral causes of gastroenteritis in stool samples from children in Wasit province by Immunochromatographic test and molecular detection for Rotavirus, Adenovirus and Norovirus. Materials and methods: In this study one hundred stool samples were collected from ill children (27 days-48 months in age) with GE symptoms. The samples were collected from many hospitals and health centers in Wasit province while fifty stool samples were collected from healthy children as a control group from two kindergartens. The patients’ samples were categorized into eight groups according to age of the children, following WHO recommendations 2009b. All samples were tested by Rapid Immunochromatographic test (RIT) and RT-qPCR with specific primers and probes Results: RIT found that 31%, 1%, were positive to Rotavirus, Adenovirus, respectively and 0% for Norovirus. Importantly, also the same results for Rotavirus and Adenovirus seen by using RT-qPCR with specific primers and probes. In addition, the results showed that Rotavirus infection cases were higher in males than females, 56% and 44 %, respectively. Child age plays a significant role in Rotavirus infections. The results of this study showed that children aged (3-5 months) more likely to have Rotavirus infection (25.8 %) compared to other children. Diarrhea (100%) and vomiting (97.77%) were the most clinical symptoms of children who diagnosed with Rotavirus infections. This study investigated the most three common viral that cause GE infection in children in Wasit province and found that Rotavirus was the main cause of GE.