OBJECTIVETo explore the epidemiological characteristics of viral diarrhea of norovirus (NV), sapovirus (SV) and astrovirus (AstV) among children in Zhuhai during winter and spring.

METHODSStool specimens were collected from children with viral diarrhea in Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Zhuhai from November 21, 2009 to April 3, 2010. Nucleic acid of NV, SV and AstV from negative specimens of rotavirus and adenovirus were detected by using Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the types of positive samples of NV were also classified at the same time.

RESULTSThe total detection rate of the three viruses is 21.49 percent, the highest detection rate is 29.05% in December 2009, the lowest detection rate is 12.20% in February 2010, 87.96% of positive specimens were from children patients aged from 0 to 30 months. The season detection rate of NV, SV and AstV are 14.70%, 2.75% and 4.04% respectively. There were significant differences of NV and SV detection rates in every month of the season, whereas the AstV detection rate was comparatively stable. The highest detection rate of NV is 34.09% in children patients aged from 12 to 18 months, the highest SV detection rate is 12.5% in children patients aged from 60 to 120 months, and the highest AstV detection rate is 16.67% in children patients aged from 24 to 30 months. All the NV were belong to G II genogroup.

CONCLUSIONSNV is one of the main pathogens causing viral diarrhea among children in Zhuhai during winter and spring, SV and AstV are also important pathogens. So we should strengthen the monitoring of viral diarrhea caused by NV, SV and AstV in infants and young children.