Prevalence and Clinical Manifestations of Rotavirus and Adenovirus Infections in Children Under Five Years Old in Katsina State, Northwestern Nigeria.

Gastroenteritis is a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of rotavirus and adenovirus infection and their co-infection in children aged < 5 years in Katsina State, Northwestern Nigeria. A total of 400 (322 diarrhoiec and 78 non-diarrhoiec) stool specimens were collected from children attending six hospitals located across the three senatorial zones of the state from June 2013 to April 2014. Their socio-demographic information and clinical presentations were noted with the aid of questionnaire. Viral antigens were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Rotavirus was detected in 5.3% of the diarrhoiec and none in the non-diarrhoiec specimens while adenovirus was detected in 12.4% of the diarrhoiec and 5.1% of the non-diarrhoiec specimens. Co-infection of rotavirus and adenovirus was observed in 0.6% of the diarrhoiec children. Generally, children < 2 years old were more vulnerable to rotavirus and adenovirus infection. There was a significant association between dehydration and rotavirus and adenovirus infections (p<0.05).