Reem M. Alsubaiei - Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Jawhar Gharbi - Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Almalki - Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Khaled Alahmed - Department of Polyclinic, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Abdulatheem Ali Brahim - Department of Pediatric, Almoossa Hospital, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Fatimah Alshakes - Department of Pediatric, Almoossa Hospital, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Manel Ben M'hadheb - Virology and Antiviral Strategies Research Unit UR۱۷ES۳۰, Higher Institute of Biotechnology, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia

Background and Aim: Children under five years are susceptible to being infected by Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) pathogens. Therefore, the main objective of the present research is to study the epidemiology and the etiology of AGE among children in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, multiplex PCR was used to detect the gastroenteric viruses, including RoVA (Rotavirus A), NoVGI (Norovirus Group I), NoVGII (Norovirus Group II), HAstV (Human Astrovirus), EAdV (Enteric Adenovirus), and HEV (Human Enterovirus) in ۹۲ stool samples collected from pediatric children aged ≤۷ admitted to hospitals in Al-Ahsa province in Saudi Arabia, during December ۲۰۲۱ to June ۲۰۲۲. Results: Out of the ۹۲ samples tested, ۶۳ (۶۸.۴%) showed positive results, indicating the presence of at least one gastroenteric virus infection. RoV group A was the most detected virus at ۵۴%, followed by HAstV at ۲۷%, EAdV at ۲۲.۲%, NoVGI at ۹.۵%, and HEV at ۶.۳%. Gastroenteric virus mono-infection was much higher than co-infection, at ۷۹.۳%. Children in the age group (۱Y-۲Y) were the most infected with viral AGE at ۴۱.۳% compared with other groups. Male children were more infected than females at ۳۸%. The main viral AGE symptoms revealed in all positive children were diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and fever, with rates of ۱۰۰%, ۹۵.۲%, ۹۲.۱%, and ۸۱%, respectively. Conclusion: Results demonstrated that the prevalence of gastroenteric infections among children is relevant and should be considered by the national health authority. This study is the first work conducted in the province of Al-Ahsa in Saudi Arabia. It could improve epidemiological and etiological data on children's AGE in the province.

Acute gastroenteritis, enteric viruses, Epidemiology, Multiplex PCR, گاستروانتریت حاد, ویروس های روده, اپیدمیولوژی, Multiplex PCR