A Prospective Study on Respiratory Viral Pathogens Causing Acute Lower Respiratory Infections in Children below Five Years of Age at a Tertiary Care Hospital of India
Introduction: The lower respiratory tract infections are a major cause of mortality in children below five years of age. Majority of the time the infection is self-limiting but often gets severe and fatal depending on various factors like age, aetiology, time of diagnosis, appropriate treatment,...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2021-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/14911/47237_CE[Ra1]_F[SK]_PF1(AG_SL)_PFA(Pr_SL)_PB(AG_KM)_PN(KM).pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction: The lower respiratory tract infections are a major
cause of mortality in children below five years of age. Majority
of the time the infection is self-limiting but often gets severe and
fatal depending on various factors like age, aetiology, time of
diagnosis, appropriate treatment, etc.
Aim: To study viral aetiology of Acute Lower Respiratory tract
Infections (ALRI) using multiplex real time qualitative Polymerase
Chain Reactions (qPCR) among hospitalised children under five
years of age.
Materials and Methods: This was a hospital based prospective
study conducted over a period of two years from June 2015
to May 2017, a throat and nasal swab was collected from 512
children ≤5 years who were being hospitalised for ALRI. The
samples were tested by multiplex qPCR to detect viral and
p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Results: Out of 512 cases, 317 children were further studied.
It was found that highest number of ALRI were observed in
children of age less than six months i.e., 38.9% followed by
29.4%, 14.8% and 16.9% in the age group of 6-12 months,
12-24 months and 24-60 months, respectively. The one/more
viral pathogens were detected in 58.3% (185/317) children.
Respiratory Synctial Virus (RSV) was most common virus
detected in 51.9% followed by Human Rhinovirus (HRV) in
23.2%. RSV was found to be statistically significant in infants
and causes very severe ALRI.
Conclusion: The use of multiplex qPCR has clarified the
scenario of different respiratory viral aetiologies causing ALRI
in different age group of children. The study results enhance
knowledge for making strategy to prevent severity of ALRI in
different age group, seasons and geographical area. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |