Enteric Viral Pathogens in Pediatric Gastroenteritis: Molecular Detection and Seasonality in Enugu State

Viral pathogens are responsible for a substantial proportion of pediatric gastroenteritis cases in Nigeria, yet their relative contribution is frequently obscured by the dominance of bacteriological testing in clinical practice. This prospective observational study molecularly detected and characterized enteric viral pathogens in children aged 0 to 12 years with acute gastroenteritis at ESUT Teaching Hospital Parklane, Enugu State, in the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Stool samples from 300 children were collected monthly over 12 months to capture seasonality patterns. Rotavirus, norovirus GI and GII, adenovirus 40/41, astrovirus, and sapovirus were detected using multiplex real-time RT-PCR. Rotavirus genotyping of positive samples was performed by nested RT-PCR and gel electrophoresis. A viral etiology was identified in 52 percent of acute gastroenteritis cases. Rotavirus was the most prevalent at 28.3 percent, followed by norovirus GII at 14.7 percent. Rotavirus genotype G1P[8] dominated in 41 percent of rotavirus-positive cases. Seasonal analysis revealed rotavirus peak incidence in the dry season months of November to February. Norovirus showed bimodal peaks coinciding with transitions between dry and wet seasons. Children under 24 months had the highest rotavirus burden and most severe dehydration scores. These findings support strengthened national rotavirus vaccination program implementation in Enugu State and integration of viral diagnostics into acute gastroenteritis management protocols. Keywords: rotavirus, norovirus, pediatric gastroenteritis, molecular detection, Enugu.