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Spectrum of respiratory viruses in children with community-acquired pneumonia

María Luz García-García1, Cristina Calvo, Francisco Pozo

  • 1Pediatrics Department, Severo Ochoa Hospital, Madrid, Spain. marialuzgarcia@terra.es.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|April 26, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children is often caused by viruses like RSV and rhinovirus (RV). This study found RSV most common in infants, while RV predominated in older children hospitalized with CAP.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Virology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major global cause of childhood illness.
  • Identifying causative respiratory viruses is crucial for understanding and managing pediatric CAP.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of specific respiratory viruses, including rhinovirus (RV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), and human bocavirus (HBoV), in hospitalized children with CAP.
  • To compare clinical characteristics of single infections caused by RSV, RV, HMPV, and HBoV.

Main Methods:

  • A 6-year prospective study of children under 14 years admitted with CAP.
  • Analysis of nasopharyngeal aspirates for 16 different respiratory viruses.
  • Comparison of clinical data for single viral infections.

Main Results:

  • A viral pathogen was identified in 73.4% of 884 children; 30% had viral coinfections.
  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most frequent (41.6%), followed by RV (26.2%), HBoV (17.8%), and HMPV (7%).
  • Viral detection rates were higher in infants (<18 months) (83%) than older children (67%). RSV was most common in infants, while RV was most common in older children.

Conclusions:

  • Respiratory viruses, particularly RSV, RV, HBoV, and HMPV, play a significant role in pediatric CAP requiring hospitalization.
  • Findings contribute to understanding the etiologic burden of viral CAP in children.
  • Results can inform public health strategies and future research directions.
Abstract

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