Detection of Rotavirus in Fecal samples from Children under Five Years among pediatric patients with diarrhea in Central Sudan

Background: Rotavirus is severe diarrhea in young children, resulting in over 200,000 deaths worldwide. Various methods, including ELISA and RT-PCR, are used to detect rotavirus in stool samples. Methods: The study screened 98 stool samples from hospitalized children under five with diarrhea in Gezira State, Sudan, using ELISA. Results: Rotavirus was significantly detected (P-value = 0.04), with a higher incidence in males (73%) than in females (27%). The infection was most prevalent in children aged 2-3 years. Discussion: The findings indicate a significant prevalence of rotavirus, consistent with previous studies in Egypt and Sudan. The high infection rate in children aged 2-3 may relate to improved hygiene in older children. A notable 87% prevalence was observed in children from low socioeconomic backgrounds, likely due to poor sanitation. The male predominance in infection rates aligns with similar findings from India. Conclusions: ELISA proves effective for screening rotavirus in fecal specimens. The study's results support the potential introduction of a rotavirus vaccine.