ABSTRACT
One of the most important pathogens responsible for acute gastroenteritis is Human Norovirus [NoV], causing >85% of all nonbacterial outbreaks of gastroenteritis reported in Europe. NoVs are members of the Family Caliciviridae. There are three infectious genogroups; genogroups I and II are recognized as the major cause of NoVs infections in humans. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of pediatric diarrhea caused by NoVs infection in children under 10 years with acute gastroenteritis admitted in Mofid Children's Hospital. During May 2008 to May 2009 we collected 204 stool samples from children under 10 years with acute gastroenteritis. RNA was extracted and RT-PCR was performed using specific primers. Using these primers we could distinguish between genogroup I and II of NoVs. Stool samples of 23 children [11.3%] were positive for NoVs RNA and 6 positive samples belonged to genogroup I [26%], 74% belonged to the genogroup II. The mean age of NoVs infected patients was 4 +/- 2.8 years. The results revealed the role of NoVs as one of the viral agents responsible for gastroenteritis in children. It also demonstrates the predominance of genogroup II of Norovirus