Exploring the role of rotavirus, adenovirus, and norovirus in gastroenteritis among children in Iraq: an epidemiological and molecular study

Background and aim Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children 98% identity with regional strains. Key substitutions (I38L, F63L, R117G) increased VP6 monomer stability without affecting trimer assembly. Conclusion Although co-infections were infrequent, their clinical relevance and the high viral loads observed underscore the need for ongoing surveillance of enteric viruses in Iraqi children with AGE. This study provides the first molecular and structural characterization of RVA VP6 in Iraq, highlighting the evolutionary stability of the DS-1–like backbone and its importance for genomic surveillance and vaccine development.