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An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
09:01

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Published on: December 10, 2013

Respiratory viruses in the pediatric intensive care unit: prevalence and clinical aspects

Selir M Straliotto1, Marilda M Siqueira, Vera Machado

  • 1Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública, Seção de Virologia, Fundação Estadual de Produção e Pesquisa em Saúde, Av. Ipiranga 5400, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. smstra@bol.com.br

Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
|March 12, 2005
PubMed

Insights

This study monitored pediatric respiratory viruses, finding adenovirus linked to higher fatality rates in severe cases than respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Viral infections impacted 38.7% of children, with RSV common in bronchiolitis and both RSV and adenovirus in pneumonia.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Intensive Care
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Viral respiratory infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children.
  • Understanding the specific viruses and their clinical impact is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To monitor key respiratory viruses in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
  • To assess the involvement of these viruses in the severity of bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
  • To compare the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of different viral infections.

Main Methods:

  • A survey was conducted in two PICUs in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
  • Respiratory viruses were identified in children diagnosed with bronchiolitis and/or pneumonia.
  • Clinical findings, treatment, and outcomes, including case fatality rates, were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Viral respiratory infection prevalence was 38.7%.
  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most common virus in bronchiolitis (36%).
  • Adenovirus showed a significantly higher case fatality rate (25%) compared to RSV (2.8%) (p=0.005).
  • Crackles were more frequent in RSV patients (47.3%) versus adenovirus (87.5%), with borderline significance (p=0.055).
  • Antibiotics were administered to 49% of RSV and 60% of adenovirus cases.

Conclusions:

  • Adenovirus is associated with a more severe clinical presentation and higher mortality in pediatric pneumonia compared to RSV.
  • Different viruses exhibit distinct clinical patterns and severity indicators in pediatric respiratory infections.
  • Further research is warranted to guide targeted therapeutic strategies based on viral etiology.

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