Surveillance of viral diarrhea in Shenzhen in 2010

Objective To understand the incidence of viral diarrhea in Shenzhen in 2010 and provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of the disease. Methods A total of 925 stool samples were collected from diarrhea patients to detect rotavirus, norovirus, astrovirus and enteric adenovirus by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). Results The detection rate of rotavirus was highest (25.30%), followed by norovirus (20.11%), enteric adenovirus (2.27%), and astrovirus (1.51%). The detection rates of rotavirus and norovirus were high in every month in 2010. The rotavirus infection had obvious seasonality, which peaked in autumn and winter, while the norovirus infection had no obvious seasonality. The infection rates in age group of 0-2 years were significantly higher than those in age groups of 3 years. Conclusion The incidence of viral diarrhea was high in Shenzhen in 2010. Rotavirus and norovirus were the major pathogens. The detection rates of astrovirus and enteric adenovirus were low. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance of viral diarrhea, especially among infants and young children.