Implementing a multiplex-PCR test for the diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis in hospitalized children: Are all enteric viruses the same?

•Enteric viruses were detected by PCR in 45.3% of diarrheic hospitalized children.•Despite vaccination efforts rotavirus remained the most prevalent and sever virus.•An off-season surge of rotavirus cases occurred in the 2nd COVID-19 pandemic year.•Some viral AGE mimicked clinical dysentery despite excluding bacterial coinfections.•Hospital-acquired AGE were more common in sapovirus and astrovirus infections.