ABSTRACT
Human parechovirus type-1 [HPeV-1] is a genus of picornaviridea with a single stranded positive sense RNA genome. In general it seems to be responsible for more gastrointestinal and respiratory syndromes and less responsible for central nervous system [CNS] symptoms. Since there is no accurate information about diagnosis and epidemiology of HPeV-1 in Iran and it is very important to distinguish between viral and bacterial diarrhea to decrease the unnecessary use of antibiotics, this study aimed at rapid detection and epidemiology of HPeV-1 in stool samples from children with gastroenteritis using specific RT-PCR. Viral RNA was isolated from 472 stool samples from children [under 4 years old] with diarrhea; CDNA was prepared and amplified using specific primers from 5?untranslated region [5' UTR] of HPeV-1 genome by nested RT-PCR. Amplified DNA product was electrophoresed on 1% agarose gel and a single band of 265 bp was obtained. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. We also performed a comparison between the cell culture [Vero] and RT-PCR method for HPeV1 detection. Out of 472 samples examined during two years, 112 samples were HpeV-1 positive [23.7%]. The results showed that the prevalence of this virus was in children under one year [6-12 months] old with diarrhea [p=0.036] in spring and autumn [p<0.001]. Boys had more positive cases than the girls [p<0.001]. Out of 20 samples which were found positive by HPeV1 RT-PCR only three of them showed CPE on Vero Cells after a week. The results revealed that RT-PCR is a more practical and sensitive technique for HPeV-1 detection directly from clinical samples, which is valuable for epidemiology. Also, the rapid detection of HPeV1 by RT-PCR can decrease both the unnecessary use of antibiotics and the costs in clinical practice