Norovirus Is the Most Frequent Cause of Diarrhea in Hospitalized Patients in Monterrey, Mexico

• Main Authors: Néstor Casillas-Vega, Fernanda Flores-Rodríguez, Israel Sotelo-Coronado, Magda Elizabeth Vera-García, Aldo García-Heredia, Ana Ma. Rivas-Estilla, Sonia A. Lozano-Sepúlveda, Santos García, Amador Flores-Arechiga, Norma Heredia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-08-01
• Series: Pathogens
• Subjects: pathogens; diarrhea; gastrointestinal infection; Mexico
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/9/9/672

Little information is available regarding the pathogens that cause diarrhea in hospitalized patients who also have various clinical problems. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of pathogens in fecal samples of hospitalized patients all suffering diarrhea in addition to other problems in Mexico. Diarrheic stools from 240 patients were obtained in a third-level hospital in Monterrey, Mexico. PCR was used for the detection of <i>Salmonella</i> spp., <i>Shigella</i> spp., <i>Campylobacter</i> spp., <i>Yersinia</i> spp., <i>Aeromonas</i> spp., <i>Clostridioides difficile</i>, and norovirus GI and GII. The presence of trophozoites, cysts of protozoa, eggs, and/or helminth larvae was determined by microscopic observation. Of the 240 patients analyzed, 40.4% presented at least one of the pathogens analyzed. Norovirus was the pathogen most frequently found (28.6%), followed by bacteria (11.7%), and parasites (8.3%). The majority of co-infections were parasites + norovirus, and bacteria + norovirus. Norovirus was detected mainly in children aged 0 to 10 years (9/15, 60%). Patients aged 0–20 years did not present co-infections. <i>Entamoeba coli</i> and <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> were the most common parasites, (8/240), and <i>Salmonella</i> was the most prevalent bacteria (10/240). This information can help design specific strategies useful for hospitalized people with a compromised status.