Study of the changes in immune indexes, pathogenic characteristics and related risk factors in children with viral diarrhea

BACKGROUND: Infectious diarrhea is a serious hazard to children under 5 years old. The causative microorganisms are mostly viruses and bacteria, with different treatment required for each. Currently, early clinical differential diagnosis is difficult with the available testing methods. Therefore, new and more sensitive indicators of viral infection reflect the early stage of infection are needed. METHODS: We collected blood samples and fresh fecal samples from 100 children diagnosed with viral diarrhea who were treated in the outpatient clinic at Changzhou Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University from January 2018 to December 2020. The levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and enterovirus were measured and compared with those in a matched healthy control group. Patients’ demographic and risk factor data were collected by interviewing parents. RESULTS: The mean levels of IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, ESR, and CRP in the viral diarrhea group were higher than those in the healthy control group. Except for IL-6, the differences in inflammatory factors between groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Human rotavirus (HRV) infection was the highest. Children’s hand-washing habits, weekly disinfection of toys, and vaccination were protective factors for viral diarrhea, and indoor flies were an important risk factor (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The serum levels of markers were significantly increased in the children with viral diarrhea. HRV was the main pathogen, and mixed infections existed. Infection control requires hand washing, regular disinfection of toys, vaccination and preventing indoor flies.