Bacalan, FatmaCakir, FatihDemirkaya, SafinazOzcan, Nida2024-04-242024-04-2420191300-932Xhttps://doi.org/10.5578/flora.68055https://search.trdizin.gov.tr/yayin/detay/321455https://hdl.handle.net/11468/20238Introduction: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) agents vary according to the hygiene and sanitation conditions of the regions and age groups of the patients. Rotavirus is the most commonly reported agent in all ages, whereas adenovirus is usually detected in sporadic cases. Giardia lamblia is a common gastroenteritis protozoa worldwide. The incidence of giardiasis approaches 40% in regions with insufficient sanitation and hygiene conditions. Amibic colitis is a parasitic infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica. Metronidazole is a synthetic 5-nitroimidazole affecting anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. Unnecessary usage of metronidazole, which is widely prescribed in the treatment of amebiasis and giardiasis, may lead to antibiotic resistance as well as intestinal dysbiosis. In this study, we investigated rotavirus, adenovirus, G. lamblia and E. histolytica in the stool samples and metronidazole presciption of AGE patients admitted to our hospital. Materials and Methods: The fecal samples of 8874 patients (6 months-16 years) admitted to Diyarbakir Pediatrics Hospital with the diagnosis of AGE were retrospectively analyzed. Rotavirus, adenovirus, G. lamblia and E. histolytica/dispar agents were investigated by Enzyme Immun Assay (EIA) method using RIDASCREEN (R) (R-biopharm AG, Germany) commercial kits. Fresh stool samples were also evaluated for G. lamblia and Entamoeba cyst and trophozoites by native-lugol (NL) method. Results: Among the 8874 samples, G. lamblia (1730 samples, 19.5%) was the most common agent followed by rotavirus (1083 samples, 12.2%). Adenovirus and E. histolytica/dispar were detected in 276 (3.1%) and 189 (2.2%) samples, respectively. Among the 3162 patients who were prescribed with metronidazole, G. lamblia, rotavirus, E. histolytica/dispar and adenovirus was found in 1730, 124, 194 and 35 patients, respectively. Metronidazole was prescribed in 1238 (17.8%) of the 6950 patients who were not diagnosed as giardiasis or amoebiasis by laboratory methods. Conclusion: Metronidazole prescription rate without laboratory findings of giardiasis or amoebiasis was high in our hospital. The proper use of laboratory methods in the diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis and the regulation of treatment after laboratory-based diagnosis will reduce unnecessary antibiotics usage.trinfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessAcute GastroenteritisGiardia LambliaEntamoeba HistolyticaMetronidazoleArticle243227235WOS:00048895180001032145510.5578/flora.68055N/A