Viral and Fungal Diarrhea in Children Under 5 Years of Age in a Tertiary Health Institution in Edo State, Nigeria

Introduction: Diarrhea infections are caused by various microbial agents such as bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi. However, in many developing countries, less attention is focused on viral and fungal agents. This work is aimed at determining the viral and fungal agents of diarrhea in children under 5 years of age in Edo State, Nigeria. Methodology: Fecal specimens were collected from diarrheal and non diarrheal children under 5 years of age. A total of 153 children with clinical signs of diarrhea and 54 apparently healthy age matched control were tested for viral and fungal agents. Viral agents were analyzed by the immunochromatographic technique (ICT) while fungal agents were analyzed by cultural method using standard microbiological technique. Results: The overall results showed that at least one viral or fungal agent was found in 56(36.6%) of patients with diarrhea. No viral agent was detected in the control. Although there were Candida growth in nine of the control, but counts obtained were less than 10cfu/ml. The viral agents had 42(275%), fungal agents 12(78%) and mixed viral and fungal agents 2(1.3%). Rotavirus prevalence was 19.6%, adenovirus 9.2% and norovirus 2.0%. The prevalence of Candida albicans was 7.2% and Candida krusei 2.0%. On the whole, rotavirus was the most predominant enteropathogen. There was an association between Candida species and diarrhea (P=0.030). Sex and age of patients were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: Viral and fungal diarrhea are not uncommon in this locality as showed by the 36.6% prevalence. There is need to perform viral and fungal tests as part of the routine tests for patients with diarrheal infections.