Coinfection of Rotavirus, Adenovirus and Norovirus among Children with Diarrhea in South-South, Nigeria

Abstract

This study aims to determine the prevalence of co-infection of Norovirus, Rotavirus and adenovirus among children under 5 years of age with diarrhea in South-South, Region, Nigeria. This study included a total of 405 children with diarrhea within the age range 0-5 yrs. Faecal specimens were collected in well screwed capped containers and analyzed withing 4 hrs of collection for Norovirus using a lateral flow immunochromatographic test kit (Biopanada, United Kingdom). The specimen were analyzed using Cromatest Rotavirus/ Adenovirus combo rapid immunoassay kit (Cromatest, Linear Chemicals Spain) according to manufacturer's instruction. The Prevalence of norovirus, Adenovirus and Rotavirus was 18.5%, 15.5% and 9.9% respectively. Norovirus and Adenovirus co-infection were the commonest 5.7% with the least being Norovirus and Rotavirus coinfection 2.5%.The prevalence of coinfection of norovirus with Rotavirus and Adenovirus was significantly higher among children 0-1-year-old (P=0.003).  There is evidence that norovirus is the leading cause of viral induced diarrhea in our study area. There is need for routine screening for co-infection of viral aetiologic agents of gastroenteritis to improve patients' outcomes and ensure proper patient management. 

Key words: Norovirus, Rotavirus, Adenovirus, Children.