scholarly journals Respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus in severe lower respiratory tract infections in children under two

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (03) ◽  
pp. 283-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heba Taher Othman ◽  
Walaa Al Sharany Abu Elhamed ◽  
Dina Mohammed Hassan ◽  
May Sherif Soliman ◽  
Radwa Wagih Abdel Baset
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Human Metapneumovirus ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
Tract Infections

Introduction: Viruses are the most important causative agents of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs), ranked as the second leading cause of death and the primary cause of hospitalization in children. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) are among the commonest viral causes of severe ALRTI. In this study, we aimed to study the burden of both RSV and hMPV in causing severe ALRTI in children younger than two years of age admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methodology: Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from children admitted to the PICU with a diagnosis of community-acquired ALRTI who were two years of age or younger. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to test for RSV and hMPV. Results: A total of 127 swabs were screened for RSV and hMPV, of which 49.6% were negative for RSV and hMPV, 46.4% were positive for RSV, and 3.9% were positive for hMPV. With respect to RSV, the mean age of cases (4.01 ± 5.05) and the monthly distribution (mainly January) were the most important risk factors. There were no statistically significant differences between the RSV group and control group regarding duration of hospital stay, mechanical ventilation need or duration, and underlying chronic conditions. Conclusions: RSV is important viral cause of severe ALRTIs in children younger than two years of age during this study period; hMPV played a minor role.

Reappraisal of respiratory syncytial virus as an aetiology of severe acute lower respiratory tract infections in children younger than 5 years in Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 113 (8) ◽  
pp. 446-452
Author(s):  
Damilola M Oladele ◽  
Dimeji P Oladele ◽  
Rasheedat M Ibraheem ◽  
Mohammed B Abdulkadir ◽  
Rasaki Adewole Raheem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Preventive Strategy ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rsv Infection ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
Tract Infections

Abstract Background Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRIs) especially severe ALRIs, constitute a global high burden of morbidity and mortality in children <5 y of age and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been documented to a play a major aetiological role. However, Nigerian reports on severe childhood RSV ALRIs are rare and most reports are old. With recent advances in RSV preventive strategy, arises the need for a recent appraisal of RSV infection in children with severe ALRI. The current study thus set out to determine the prevalence of RSV infection among hospitalized children <5 y of age and describe the related social determinants. Methods We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted over 1 y of 120 children, ages 2–59 months, diagnosed with ALRI. Relevant data were obtained and an antigen detection assay was used for viral studies. Results The prevalence of RSV infection was 34.2% and its peak was in the rainy months. The proportion of infants in the RSV-positive group was significantly higher than that in the RSV-negative group (82.9% vs 54.4%; p=0.002). These findings were largely consistent with those of earlier reports. Conclusions RSV has remained a common cause of severe ALRI in infants, especially during the rainy months in Nigeria. It is thus suggested that more effort be focused towards implementing the current global recommendations for the prevention of RSV-associated LRI, particularly in infants.

scholarly journals Hyperimmune globulins in prevention and treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infections.

1995 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
V G Hemming ◽  
G A Prince ◽  
J R Groothuis ◽  
G R Siber
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
Tract Infections

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important community and nosocomial respiratory pathogen for infants and young children. RSV causes especially severe disease in the prematurely born or those with chronic cardiopulmonary diseases. Elderly persons and those with T-cell deficiencies, such as bone marrow transplant recipients, are also at high risk for serious lower respiratory tract infections. To date, prevention of RSV infections by vaccination has proven elusive and no preventive drugs exist. Studies in animals and humans have shown that the lower respiratory tract can be protected from RSV infection by sufficient circulating RSV neutralizing antibody levels. Recently, an RSV hyperimmune immune globulin (RSVIG) was developed and tested for the prevention of RSV infections or reduction of disease severity. Passive immunization of high-risk children with RSVIG during the respiratory disease season effected significant reductions in RSV infections, hospitalizations, days of hospitalization, intensive care unit admissions, days in the intensive care unit, and ribavirin use. Studies in cotton rats and owl monkeys show that RSV infections can also be treated with inhalation of immune globulin at doses substantially smaller than required for parenteral treatment. Therapeutic trials of parenteral RSVIG have been completed and are pending analysis. The use of polyclonal, hyperimmune globulins and perhaps human monoclonal antibodies provides an additional approach to the prevention and perhaps the treatment of certain viral lower respiratory tract infections such as those caused by RSV.

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