doiSerbia

Viral gastrointestinal syndrome in our environment

Patić A. (Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Medical Faculty, Novi Sad)
Milošević V. (Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Medical Faculty, Novi Sad)
Hrnjaković-Cvjetković I. (Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Medical Faculty, Novi Sad)
Petrović V. (Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Medical Faculty, Novi Sad)
Šeguljev Z. (Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Medical Faculty, Novi Sad)
Stefan-Mikić S. (Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty, Novi Sad)
Kovačević G. (Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Medical Faculty, Novi Sad)
Radovanov J. (Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Medical Faculty, Novi Sad)
Elez I. (Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Medical Faculty, Novi Sad)
Jovanović-Galović A. (Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Medical Faculty, Novi Sad)
Đilas M. (Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Medical Faculty, Novi Sad)

Viral gastrointestinal syndrome is a cause of morbidity and death worldwide. Infection is spread through contact with an infected person, as well as through contaminated food and water. A lethal outcome is possible in infants and young children due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. The study included 141 patients with gastroenteritis from Vojvodina. Real-Time PCR method in stool samples was used to determine the presence of rota-, noro-, and astrovirus nucleic acid. Out of 141 patients with gastroenteritis, 60.3% were confirmed to have one of the three viruses. Rotavirus was significantly more common in children up to 3 years of age (43.3%). Norovirus was more frequently detected in patients older than 20 (50%). These infections started in collectives. Astrovirus was detected in four patients (2.8%). The results confirm the necessity to implement PCR in routine diagnostics for the proper treatment of patients.

Keywords: Gastroenteritis, rotavirus, norovirus, astrovirus, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction