Rotavirus gastroenteritis and bacterial coinfection in a 60-year-old immunocompetent patient. Case report

Abstract

Introduction: rotavirus gastroenteritis is an uncommon disease in adults, it occurs after contact with infected children. In addition to being underdiagnosed, it is rare that it occurs with a bacterial coinfection.

Clinical case: It is a case of a 60-year-old patient, with a history of contact with a pediatric patient. This person presents diffuse abdominal pain accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal distention. Filiform and weak pulse, cold extremities with capillary filling greater than 3 seconds. Moderate dehydration is diagnosed. Renal function markers (creatinine and urea) were requested, which were increased; stool examination showed increased polymorphonuclear cells and positive for rotavirus antigens.

Conclusion: rotavirus gastroenteritis and bacterial coinfection lead moderate to severe dehydration and renal failure. It should be emphasized that the values of renal markers such as creatinine and urea alone do not indicate renal damage, but they do indicate a decrease in renal function, which must be treated immediately with fluid restitution to avoid irreversible damage.