Rotavirus infection and persistent diarrhea in young children

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at determining the role of rotavirus in the etiology of persistent diarrhea in young children. Stool samples from 96 children up to 5 years old suffering from persistent diarrhea and 70 matched controls suffering from acute diarrhea were examined for EPEC, salmonella, shigella and rotavirus. Rotavirus was detected in 8.3% and 25.7% of the cases of persistent and acute diarrhea respectively with significant difference in the rate of detection [P < 0.01]. This shows a more important role of rotavirus in the etiology of acute diarrhea, however its detection in cases of persistent diarrhea suggests its role as an underlying cause. Prospective studies are needed to clarify if there is a direct correlation between acute rotavirus infection and persistence of diarrhea