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INTRODUCTION

Rotavirus is the main cause of severe diarrhea in children aged less than 5 years, leading to elevated morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine the etiology of enteric viruses reported to the Catalan Microbiology Notification System (CMNS) (rotavirus and adenovirus 40-41) and to evaluate the importance of these viruses in enteric disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the notifications made from 1995-2002 by the laboratories of hospitals participating in the CMNS. Cases of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) were diagnosed by antigen detection in stools. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, month, and year of isolation. Statistical analysis was performed using the X test and Fisher's test and proportions were compared using the binomial test. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05.

RESULTS

Rotavirus was detected in 6708 cases of AGE (94.3%) and adenovirus 40-41 in 409 (5.7%). Viral AGE produced greater morbidity in children aged less than 2 years with 76% of cases caused by rotavi-rus and 68% of those caused by adenovirus 40-41 occurring in this age group. Rotavirus was isolated mainly in winter (68%), while adenovi-rus, although stable throughout the seasons, was more frequent in autumn (35.2%). Of cases of bacterial and viral enteritis detected by the CMNS, rotavirus was the second etiological agent and adenovirus the fourth in children aged less than 5 years after Campylobacter and Salmonella.

CONCLUSIONS

Of the various viruses that can cause AGE, some are highly frequent, such as calcivirus and astrovirus, which are not systematically detected and consequently the frequencies reported in the present study should be interpreted with caution. Nevertheless, rotavirus is the main cause of viral AGE, affecting small children, especially infants aged 1-11 months, with a clear predominance in winter. Adenovirus 40-41 mainly affects children aged less than 2 years and is more frequent in autumn. Vaccination against rotavirus should be a priority to reduce the high rates of morbidity and mortality caused by this disease.