Utility of Conventional PCR and Multiplex Rt-PCR in Detection of Viruses Causing Diarrhea in Under5 Year Children

Background And Objective: Diarrhea is a major public health problem in developing countries and despite of high morbidity and mortality in under 5 year children, the laboratory diagnosis is largely neglected and cause of infective diarrhea remains undiagnosed. This study aims to assess the use of Multiplex PCR and Conventional PCR assay for detection of six viruses, including rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus, astrovirus, sapovirus and enterovirus, responsible for acute diarrhea in children. Stool Method: samples obtained from 150 cases of under 5 year children presented with acute diarrhea at Bundelkhand Medical College, Associated hospital, Sagar (M.P) in between July 2021 and July 2022. The identication of causative agents was carried using Conventional PCR and Multiplex PCR. Result: Out of 150 samples, 28 samples were positive for viral pathogens by Multiplex RT-PCR with prevalence of 18.7%. Single viral infection was present in 57% (16/28) and mixed infection in 43% (12/28). Whereas, in conventional PCR single infection was detected in 39% (11/28). The highest number of positive samples was seen in infants (1month- <12 months) with 53.6% (15/28) and least in early childhood with 21.4%. Conclusion: Multiplex PCR systems allow simultaneous, expeditious amplication of several targets with good sensitivity and specicity along with detection of co-infections. Multiplex molecular assays can give quick results and powerful approach for detection of enteric viral pathogens from clinical specimens, and minimize the subjective errors in interpretation. This helps in avoidance of unnecessary antibiotic intake, targeted and early treatment initiation especially in pediatric cases.