This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of quantitative measurement of C-reactive protein(C-RP) and ESR in the differentiation between Rotaviral and Salmonella gastroenteritis in children.

On admission quantitative C-RP measurement by nephelometry, stool culture for slmonella and shigella, stool latex agglutination test for rotavirus(slidex rota-kit 2), stool occult blood, stool WBC and CBC with ESR were performed.

Of sixty seven children, 40(59.7%) children had Rotaviral gastroenteritis, and 27(40.3%) had Salmonella gastroenteritis. The C-RP levels and ESR of the patients with Salmonella gastroenteritis differed significantly from the Rotaviral gastroenteritis. At the level of 0.8 mg/dL, C-RP gave the best balance of sensitivity(84.6%) and specificity(87.5%).

The quantitative measurement of C-RP levels may be a useful tool for predicting Salmonella gastroenteritis in children.