​​Pediatric gastro-enteritis (GE) can be caused by a variety of viruses. Rotavirus is responsible for 40-50 per cent of pediatric GE and adenovirus 40 and 41 are implicated in four to 17 per cent of cases of pediatric viral GE. Viral GE in otherwise healthy and well nourished children is usually a self-limited disease, but a rapid and accurate diagnosis may be helpful in managing the dehydrated child, and requires admission to hospital. Elaborate further testing and costly antibiotic treatment with potential side effects may be avoided. The rapid diagnosis of viral diarrhea is also important to avoid nosocomial outbreaks of diarrhea.

Laboratory diagnosis - viral gastro-enteritis

 Since most viruses causing diarrhea are present in large amounts in the gut, a stool specimen is appropriate. This should preferentially be obtained within the first 24 hours of diarrhea. Rotavirus and adenovirus 40 and 41 can both be detected by rapid, simple and reliable laboratory techniques allowing for a result within two hours after the specimens has reached the laboratory. Other diagnostic technology is insufficiently developed to identify all viral causes of pediatric GE and the etiologic agent remains unknown in approximately 50 per cent of cases. Electronmicroscopy of fecal specimens, a labour-intense and expensive technique, has been the test of choice for other GE viruses such as norovirus (community outbreaks) and caliciviruses. Recently, PCR has become the test of choice for noroviruses.