Detection of rotavirus and norovirus among children with acute gastroenteritis in Merida and Chihuahua cities, Mexico

Infantile acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. The most frequent etiological agents of viral gastroenteritis in children are adenovirus, astrovirus, rotavirus, and norovirus, the last two, leading causes. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the presence of these two viruses in children with AGE, from two cities located in the Southeast and the Northwest regions of México. HuNoVs were detected and characterized by RT-PCR and sequencing, while RVs were detected by RNA electrophoresis. The presence of RV and HuNoV was evaluated in 81 stool samples; 37 were collected between April and July 2013 from patients with acute diarrhea in Merida, and 44 were collected between January and June 2017 in Chihuahua, who attended health services. Despite vaccination, RV resulted in the predominant viruses detected, with 30.8% (25/81) positivity, while HuNoV infection was present in 8.6% (7/81) of the stool samples; GII strains were identified circulating in the Southeast, while GI strains were identified in the Northwest. Moreover, co-infections with both viruses were detected at a prevalence rate of 2.4% (2/81). The circulation of RV and HuNoV in the country is continuous and should be constantly monitored due to their impact on public health.