[Norovirus detection and genotyping in adult patients with acute gastroenteritis in Tehran]

Human Noroviruses [NoVs] are one of the important causes of acute gastroenteritis. NoVs are highly infectious and also spread by person to person transmission through the fecal-oral route. NoVs can be classified into five major genogroups, of which genogroups I and II are recognized as the major cause of NoVs infections in human. There is not enough information about Norovirus gastroenteritis in adult patients in Tehran. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of diarrhea caused by NoVs infection in adult patients with acute gastroenteritis referring to Shohada Hospital in Tehran. From May to February 2008 we collected 67 stool samples from the patients older than 18 years of age with acute gastroenteritis. RNA was extracted and RT-PCR was performed using specific primers which could distinguish between genogroups I and II of NoVs. Three stool samples [4.5%] were positive for NoVs RNA. All of three positive samples obtained in autumn belonged to genogroup I. The mean age of NoVs infected patients was 32+8.7 years. The results of our study revealed the role of NoVs as a cause of gastroenteritis in adult patients. It's also demonstrated that genogroup I of Norovirus is the most prevalent genogroup in adults with acute gastroenteritis in Tehran

[Prevalence and molecular characterization of rotaviruses from children with acute diarrhea in Tabriz]

Rotavirus is the common cause of acute diarrhea in infants and young children. Hence it is required to investigate rotavirus infection in diarrheal samples in order to determine the prevalence and predominant genotypes for controlling the misusage of antibiotics and vaccination. To determine the prevalence and predominant genotypes of rotavirus in children under five years of age with acute diarrhea in Tabriz. Rotaviruses were detected by ELISA in stool samples collected during one year [2005-2006] from children under five years old, admitted to Pediatric Center, in Tabriz. Positive samples in standard condition transferred in our laboratory [RCGLD] and RT-PCR were used for genotyping. In total of 213 samples, 113 samples were positive for group A rotavirus. Prevalence of rotavirus infection was 54%. Samples were typed as follows: G1 [21.4%], G2[3.1%], G4[42.9%], G2+G4[5.1%], G1+G4[17.3%] and G1+G2+G4[3.1%]. Genotype G9+G4 was detected in one sample [1%]. P [8] was found in 68.4% of samples, P [4+8] 12.2%, P [4] 12.2%, P [6] 2%. The major finding of our study was that the main cause of infectious gastroenteritis in Tabriz occurs by rotavirus. The most prevalent genotyping were G4 P[8], vaccination may be the best way to control rotavirus