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Molecular detection of respiratory syncytial virus in postmortem lung tissue samples from Mexican children deceased
M E Bustamante-Calvillo1, F R Velázquez, L Cabrera-Munõz
1Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Hospital de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico. avargas@prodigy.net.mx
Background:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major viral cause of severe respiratory infections in children younger than 2 years of age. Nevertheless there are not enough epidemiologic data about the role of RSV as a cause of infantile mortality from pneumonia, mainly in young children from developing countries Aim. To determine the frequency of RSV infection in lung tissue samples from Mexican children deceased with pneumonia, by reverse transcription (RT) and PCR.
Methods:
Postmortem lung tissue samples from 98 children younger than 2 years of age who died of pneumonia during the period of 1989 to 1997 were studied. Paraffin was removed with xylene from 10-microm lung sections, the total RNA was extracted and complementary DNA was obtained by RT reaction. A nested PCR with the use of oligonucleotides specific for the F glycoprotein gene was developed. Samples negatives for RSV were tested for the absence of polymerase inhibitors and for complementary DNA integrity.
Results:
Twenty-nine of the 98 (30%) children deceased with pneumonia were positive for RSV by RT-PCR; 8 were detected from 13 (62%) children with histopathologic diagnosis of viral pneumonia and 21 from 85 (25%) children with histopathologic diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia (P = 0.018). There was no significant difference in RSV infection according to age groups or seasonal pattern.
Conclusions:
RSV infection is frequent in Mexican children younger than 2 years of age who died of pneumonia. Although RSV was more common in viral pneumonia, mixed infections with RSV and bacterial pneumonia were also common.
Insights
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a frequent cause of pneumonia-related infant mortality in Mexico. This study found RSV in 30% of deceased children, highlighting its significant role in pediatric deaths.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Virology
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of severe respiratory illness in infants globally.
- Limited epidemiological data exist on RSV's contribution to infant pneumonia mortality, especially in developing nations.
- Understanding RSV's role in pediatric mortality is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the frequency of RSV infection in lung tissue samples from Mexican children who died from pneumonia.
- To investigate the association between RSV and specific pneumonia types (viral vs. bacterial) in deceased infants.
Main Methods:
- Postmortem lung tissue samples from 98 children under two years old who died of pneumonia were analyzed.
- RNA was extracted from lung sections, followed by complementary DNA synthesis via reverse transcription (RT).
- Nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting the RSV F glycoprotein gene was employed for detection.
Main Results:
- RSV was detected in 29 out of 98 (30%) children who died from pneumonia.
- RSV was identified in 62% of viral pneumonia cases and 25% of bacterial pneumonia cases (P = 0.018).
- No significant differences in RSV detection were observed based on age groups or seasonality.
Conclusions:
- RSV infection is a common finding in Mexican infants succumbing to pneumonia.
- The study confirms frequent co-infections, with RSV often present alongside bacterial pneumonia.
- These findings underscore the importance of considering RSV in pediatric pneumonia mortality, particularly in regions with limited data.