Infezioni gastroenteriche sostenute da patogeni emergenti in età pediatrica

Objective: Aim of our study was investigate the presence of enteric viruses like Norovirus, Bocavirus and Rotavirus in hospitalized children belong to Paediatrics Clinics of L. Sacco Hospital. Material and methods: 150 faecal samples were investigated from January 2008- 2009, by PCR real time for Norovirus and Bocavirus; Rotavirus was detected by enzyme immunoassay. Results: We obtain a positive result on total samples in percentage of 36%: Rotaviruses are estimated to cause more than 20% of gastroenteritis cases; Noroviruses 7.3% cases; Bocaviruses 6.6% cases. Rotaviruses infections occurred in children 1-4 years of age and for 2 cases at 7 and 13 years old. Illness typically happened in the cooler months from January to March even if there were few positive cases in September/October. Noroviruses and Bocaviruses infections occurred in children 1-2 years of age and their seasonality were respectively from September to December and from January to March for Bocaviruses. Conclusions: The present results point out the importance to detect new viral gastrointestinal agents associated with paediatric illness.