Hosna Hamzavi - Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran
Azarakhsh Azaran - Department of virology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Manoochehr Makvandi - Department of virology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

Background and Aim: The mortality of the Rotavirus diarrhea still remains a major problem among developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of rotavirus among children below ۵ years with acute diarrhea who admitted in reference one of Hospitals (Hospital Abuzar) is located in Ahvaz. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional survey on ۲۰۰ fecal samples taken from children under ۵ years of age with gastroenteritis, referred to Abuzar hospital in Ahwaz. Sampling started in January ۲۰۱۴ and continued until September ۲۰۱۴. Samples were transported to the laboratory in the Department of Virology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Science and were tested. The latex agglutination test was performed on samples and the RT-PCR was tested for accurate detection of rotavirus. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Of the ۲۰۰ samples collected, latex agglutination test and RT-PCR confirmed the presence of rotavirus in ۴۱% and ۲۱% of cases, respectively. Positive samples were equally in boys and girls. The highest incidence was observed in children under ۲ years of age (۸۸.۱%) and in the age range of ۶-۸ months (۲۸.۵۷%). Diarrhea, vomiting and fever were the most common symptom of the disease and powdered milk consumption was observed in ۵۰% of the positive samples. Also, the highest and the lowest number of positive samples were reported in February-March ۲۰۱۴ and August- September ۲۰۱۴, respectively. Conclusions: According to the high percentage of Rotavirus infection in different region of Iran, continuous monitoring of the amount of Rotavirus gastroenteritis is recommended in healthcare centres.

Gastroenteritis, Latex Agglutination, RT-PCR, Rotavirus, گاستروانتریت, لاتکس آگلوتیناسیون, RT-PCR, روتاویروس