Viral Etiology and Epidemiology of Children Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) in Al-Ahsa Province - Saudi Arabia during the period 2021-2022

M. Alsubaiei, Reem; Gharbi, Jawhar; Almalki, Mohammed; Alahmed, Khaled; Ali Brahim, Abdulatheem; Alshakes, Fatimah; Ben M'hadheb, Manel

doi:10.30699/ijmm.17.5.541

year 17, Issue 5 (September - October 2023) Iran J Med Microbiol 2023, 17(5): 541-549 | Back to browse issues page

‎ 10.30699/ijmm.17.5.541

Mendeley

Zotero

RefWorks

M. Alsubaiei R, Gharbi J, Almalki M, Alahmed K, Ali Brahim A, Alshakes F et al . Viral Etiology and Epidemiology of Children Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) in Al-Ahsa Province - Saudi Arabia during the period 2021-2022. Iran J Med Microbiol 2023; 17 (5) :541-549
URL: http://ijmm.ir/article-1-2211-en.html

Viral Etiology and Epidemiology of Children Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) in Al-Ahsa Province - Saudi Arabia during the period 2021-2022

Reem M. Alsubaiei¹

, Jawhar Gharbi

², Mohammed Almalki¹

, Khaled Alahmed³

, Abdulatheem Ali Brahim⁴

, Fatimah Alshakes⁴

, Manel Ben M'hadheb⁵

1- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
2- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia , jagharbi@kfu.edu.sa
3- Department of Polyclinic, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
4- Department of Pediatric, Almoossa Hospital, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
5- Virology and Antiviral Strategies Research Unit UR17ES30, Higher Institute of Biotechnology, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia

Abstract: (673 Views)

Background and Aim: Children under five years are susceptible to being infected by Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) pathogens. Therefore, the main objective of the present research is to study the epidemiology and the etiology of AGE among children in Saudi Arabia.
Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, multiplex PCR was used to detect the gastroenteric viruses, including RoVA (Rotavirus A), NoVGI (Norovirus Group I), NoVGII (Norovirus Group II), HAstV (Human Astrovirus), EAdV (Enteric Adenovirus), and HEV (Human Enterovirus) in 92 stool samples collected from pediatric children aged ≤7 admitted to hospitals in Al-Ahsa province in Saudi Arabia, during December 2021 to June 2022.
Results: Out of the 92 samples tested, 63 (68.4%) showed positive results, indicating the presence of at least one gastroenteric virus infection. RoV group A was the most detected virus at 54%, followed by HAstV at 27%, EAdV at 22.2%, NoVGI at 9.5%, and HEV at 6.3%. Gastroenteric virus mono-infection was much higher than co-infection, at 79.3%. Children in the age group (1Y-2Y) were the most infected with viral AGE at 41.3% compared with other groups. Male children were more infected than females at 38%. The main viral AGE symptoms revealed in all positive children were diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and fever, with rates of 100%, 95.2%, 92.1%, and 81%, respectively.
Conclusion: Results demonstrated that the prevalence of gastroenteric infections among children is relevant and should be considered by the national health authority. This study is the first work conducted in the province of Al-Ahsa in Saudi Arabia. It could improve epidemiological and etiological data on children's AGE in the province.

Keywords: Acute gastroenteritis, enteric viruses, Epidemiology, Multiplex PCR

Full-Text [PDF 528 kb] (137 Downloads) | | Full-Text (HTML) (64 Views)

Type of Study: Original Research Article | Subject: Medical Virology
Received: 2023/08/13 | Accepted: 2023/11/15 | ePublished: 2023/11/29

References

1. Zaraket R, Salami A, Bahmad M, El Roz A, Khalaf B, Ghssein G, et al. Prevalence, risk factors, and clinical characteristics of rotavirus and adenovirus among Lebanese hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis. Heliyon. 2020;6(6):e04248. [DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04248] [PMID] [PMCID]

2. Ouédraogo N, Kaplon J, Bonkoungou IJO, Traoré AS, Pothier P, Barro N, et al. Prevalence and genetic diversity of enteric viruses in children with diarrhea in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. PLoS One. 2016;11(4):e0153652. [DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0153652] [PMID] [PMCID]

3. Kargar M, Javdani N, Najafi A, Tahamtan Y. First molecular detection of group A rotavirus in urban and hospital sewage systems by nested-RT PCR in Shiraz, Iran. J Environ Health Sci Eng. 2013;11(1):4. [DOI:10.1186/2052-336X-11-4] [PMID] [PMCID]

4. Gallimore CI, Taylor C, Gennery AR, Cant AJ, Galloway A, Xerry J, et al. Contamination of the hospital environment with gastroenteric viruses: comparison of two pediatric wards over a winter season. J Clin Microbiol. 2008;46(9):3112-5. [DOI:10.1128/JCM.00400-08] [PMID] [PMCID]

5. Mitra S, Nayak MK, Majumdar A, Sinha A, Chatterjee S, Deb A, et al. Development and evaluation of a multiplex conventional reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of common viral pathogens causing acute gastroenteritis. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2020;97(4):115061. [DOI:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2020.115061] [PMID]

6. Bányai K, Estes MK, Martella V, Parashar UD. Viral gastroenteritis. Lancet. 2018;392(10142):175-86. [DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31128-0] [PMID]

7. Levidiotou S, Gartzonika C, Papaventsis D, Christaki C, Priavali E, Zotos N, et al. Viral agents of acute gastroenteritis in hospitalized children in Greece. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2009;15(6):596-8. [DOI:10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.02855.x] [PMID] [PMCID]

8. Graves NS. Acute gastroenteritis. Prim Care Clin Off Pract. 2013;40(3):727-41. [DOI:10.1016/j.pop.2013.05.006] [PMID] [PMCID]

9. Guarino A, Aguilar J, Berkley J, Broekaert I, Vazquez-Frias R, Holtz L, et al. Acute Gastroenteritis in Children of the World: What Needs to Be Done? J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2020;70(5):694-701. [DOI:10.1097/MPG.0000000000002669] [PMID] [PMCID]

10. Lopman BA, Reacher MH, Van Duijnhoven Y, Hanon FX, Brown D, Koopmans M. Viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in Europe, 1995-2000. Emerg Infect Dis. 2003;9(1):90-6. [DOI:10.3201/eid0901.020184] [PMID] [PMCID]

11. Rovida F, Campanini G, Piralla A, Adzasehoun KMG, Sarasini A, Baldanti F. Molecular detection of gastrointestinal viral infections in hospitalized patients. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2013;77(3):231-5. [DOI:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2013.07.020] [PMID] [PMCID]

12. Desselberger U. Viral gastroenteritis. Medicine. 2017;45(11):690-4. [DOI:10.1016/j.mpmed.2017.08.005] [PMID] [PMCID]

13. Biscaro V, Piccinelli G, Gargiulo F, Ianiro G, Caruso A, Caccuri F, et al. Detection and molecular characterization of enteric viruses in children with acute gastroenteritis in Northern Italy. Infect Genet Evol. 2018;60:35-41. [DOI:10.1016/j.meegid.2018.02.011] [PMID]

14. Japhet MO, Famurewa O, Adesina OA, Opaleye OO, Wang B, Höhne M, et al. Viral gastroenteritis among children of 0-5 years in Nigeria: Characterization of the first Nigerian aichivirus, recombinant noroviruses and detection of a zoonotic astrovirus. J Clin Virol. 2019;111:4-11. [DOI:10.1016/j.jcv.2018.12.004] [PMID]

15. Shen W, Sheng Y, Weng J, Li G, Wang D, Qiu D, et al. Molecular epidemiology of norovirus associated with acute gastroenteritis in Taizhou, China: A retrospective study. Infect Public Health. 2020;13(1):34-9. [DOI:10.1016/j.jiph.2019.06.006] [PMID]

16. Gallimore Chris I, Taylor C, Gennery Andrew R, Cant Andrew J, Galloway A, Iturriza-Gomara M, et al. Environmental Monitoring for Gastroenteric Viruses in a Pediatric Primary Immunodeficiency Unit. J Clin Microbiol. 2006;44(2):395-9. [DOI:10.1128/JCM.44.2.395-399.2006] [PMID] [PMCID]

17. Logan C, O'Leary John J, O'Sullivan N. Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR for Detection of Rotavirus and Adenovirus as Causative Agents of Acute Viral Gastroenteritis in Children. J Clin Microbiol. 2006;44(9):3189-95. [DOI:10.1128/JCM.00915-06] [PMID] [PMCID]

18. Meqdam MM, Thwiny IR. Prevalence of group a rotavirus, enteric adenovirus, norovirus and astrovirus infections among children with acute gastroenteritis in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Pak J Med Sci. 2007;23(4):551.

19. Zhang J, Wang F, Jin H, Hu J, Yuan Z, Shi W, et al. Laboratory monitoring of bacterial gastroenteric pathogens Salmonella and Shigella in Shanghai, China 2006-2012. Epidemiol Infect. 2015;143(3):478-85. [DOI:10.1017/S0950268814001162] [PMID] [PMCID]

20. Duman M, Gencpinar P, Biçmen M, Arslan N, Özden Ö, Üzüm Ö, et al. Fecal calprotectin: can be used to distinguish between bacterial and viral gastroenteritis in children? Am J Emerg Med. 2015;33(10):1436-9. [DOI:10.1016/j.ajem.2015.07.007] [PMID]

21. Barrett J, Fhogartaigh CN. Bacterial gastroenteritis. Medicine. 2017;45(11):683-9. [DOI:10.1016/j.mpmed.2017.08.002]

22. McAuliffe GN, Anderson TP, Stevens M, Adams J, Coleman R, Mahagamasekera P, et al. Systematic application of multiplex PCR enhances the detection of bacteria, parasites, and viruses in stool samples. J Infect. 2013;67(2):122-9. [DOI:10.1016/j.jinf.2013.04.009] [PMID]

23. Tilmanne A, Martiny D, Quach C, Wautier M, Vandenberg O, Lepage P, et al. Enteropathogens in paediatric gastroenteritis: comparison of routine diagnostic and molecular methods. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2019;25(12):1519-24. [DOI:10.1016/j.cmi.2019.07.021] [PMID]

24. Buss Sarah N, Leber A, Chapin K, Fey Paul D, Bankowski Matthew J, Jones Matthew K, et al. Multicenter Evaluation of the BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panel for Etiologic Diagnosis of Infectious Gastroenteritis. J Clin Microbiol. 2015;53(3):915-25. [DOI:10.1128/JCM.02674-14] [PMID] [PMCID]

25. Martínez Miguel A, Soto-del Río María de los D, Gutiérrez Rosa M, Chiu Charles Y, Greninger Alexander L, Contreras Juan F, et al. DNA Microarray for Detection of Gastrointestinal Viruses. J Clin Microbiol. 2014;53(1):136-45. [DOI:10.1128/JCM.01317-14] [PMID] [PMCID]

26. Prado T, Silva DM, Guilayn WC, Rose TL, Gaspar AMC, Miagostovich MP. Quantification and molecular characterization of enteric viruses detected in effluents from two hospital wastewater treatment plants. Water Res. 2011;45(3):1287-97. [DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2010.10.012] [PMID]

27. Huh J-W, Kim W-H, Moon S-G, Lee J-B, Lim Y-H. Viral etiology and incidence associated with acute gastroenteritis in a 5-year survey in Gyeonggi province, South Korea. J Clin Virol. 2009;44(2):152-6. [DOI:10.1016/j.jcv.2008.11.016] [PMID]

28. Al Ayed MS, Asaad AM, Mahdi AA, Qureshi MA. Aetiology of acute gastroenteritis in children in Najran region, Saudi Arabia. J Health Specialties. 2013;1:84. [DOI:10.4103/1658-600X.114688]

29. Akihara S, Phan TG, Nguyen TA, Hansman G, Okitsu S, Ushijima H. Existence of multiple outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis among infants in a day care center in Japan. Arch Virol. 2005;150(10):2061-75. [DOI:10.1007/s00705-005-0540-y] [PMID]

30. Goldar S, Rajbongshi G, Chamuah K, Alam ST, Sharma A. Occurrence of Viral Gastroenteritis in Children below 5 Years: A Hospital-based Study from Assam, India. Indian J Med Microbiol. 2019;37(3):415-7. [DOI:10.4103/ijmm.IJMM_19_79] [PMID]

31. Pitkänen O, Markkula J, Hemming-Harlo M. A major decrease in viral acute gastroenteritis in hospitalized Finnish children as rotavirus returns as the most detected pathogen. Int J Infect Dis. 2022;114:273-8. [DOI:10.1016/j.ijid.2021.11.016] [PMID]

32. Cunliffe NA, Booth JA, Elliot C, Lowe SJ, Sopwith W, Kitchin N, et al. Healthcare-associated viral gastroenteritis among children in a large pediatric hospital, United Kingdom. Emerg Infect Dis. 2010;16(1):55-62. [DOI:10.3201/eid1601.090401] [PMID] [PMCID]

33. Tayeb HT, Balkhy HH, Aljuhani SM, Elbanyan E, Alalola S, Alshaalan M. Increased prevalence of rotavirus among children associated gastroenteritis in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. Virol J. 2011;8(1):548. [DOI:10.1186/1743-422X-8-548] [PMID] [PMCID]

34. Nguyen Trung V, Le Van P, Le Huy C, Weintraub A. Diarrhea Caused by Rotavirus in Children Less than 5 Years of Age in Hanoi, Vietnam. J Clin Microbiol. 2004;42(12):5745-50. [DOI:10.1128/JCM.42.12.5745-5750.2004] [PMID] [PMCID]

35. Pietruchinski E, Benati F, Lauretti F, Kisielius J, Ueda M, Volotão EM, et al. Rotavirus diarrhea in children and adults in a southern city of Brazil in 2003: distribution of G/P types and finding of a rare G12 strain. J Med Virol. 2006;78(9):1241-9. [DOI:10.1002/jmv.20686] [PMID]