Acute infective gastroenteritis is a major global health problem with children under 5 years of age being predominantly susceptible. Adenoviruses, mainly enteric adenoviruses (EAds) type 40 (Ad40) and type 41(Ad41), have been implicated in causing acute and severe diarrhea in young children worldwide. This study was therefore conducted to elucidate the prevalence and epidemiological features of enteric adenovirus in children aged 0-5 years being managed for acute diarrhea in Children’s Specialist Hospital Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria where there is little or no information on its prevalence. A total of one hundred and eighty-eight diarrheic stool samples were obtained and screened for the presence of adenoviruses using monoclonal antibody-based Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA), (Cortez Diagnostics INC., USA). The results were statistically analysed (Chi-Square and P-value) using descriptive Cross Tab Pearson’s Statistical Method. Adenovirus antigen was detected in 23.4% (44/188) of the diarrheic stool samples. Among the infected patients, children < 2 years old were more vulnerable to enteric adenovirus infection, with the peak infection occurring between 7-12 months of age (28.2% prevalence rate). Also, male children had a higher incidence rate of 13.8% while the female had an incident rate of 9.6%. There was a significant association between marital status (p=0.04) and occupation (p=0.02) of the parent or guardian of the children and adenovirus infection. The findings from this study suggest that adenoviruses are important etiologic agents of diarrhoea in children within Ilorin Metropolis, thus there is an urgent need for proper diagnosis of adenovirus among children with symptoms of diarrhoea.
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