2.1 Study design
Fecal samples were collected from 1482 children up to 16 years of age
who visited the outpatient clinic of the Children’s Hospital of Fudan
University and were diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis between January
2020 and December 2022 in Shanghai. All enrolled samples were routinely
collected and stored at -70°C before the examination. The definition of
AGE was three or more loose, watery, thin, pasty stools or the presence
of mucous stools within 24 hours, possibly accompanied by vomiting,
abdominal pain, fever, and nausea. This definition excluded the presence
of pus or blood regardless of the presence of fever22. Demographic information and clinical diagnoses
were obtained from the patients’ medical history. The study proposal was
approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Children’s Hospital of
Fudan University. All procedures were performed in accordance with
relevant guidelines and regulations.