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Cohort profile: The study of respiratory pathogens in Andean children

Carlos G Grijalva1, Marie R Griffin2, Kathryn M Edwards2

  • 1Departments of Preventive Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville TN, USA, Pediatrics-Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville TN, USA, Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville TN, USA, Instituto de Investigación Nutricional, Lima, Perú, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland and Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta GA, USA Carlos.grijalva@vanderbilt.edu.

International Journal of Epidemiology
|June 18, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This study in young Peruvian children examined viral and bacterial respiratory infections. Understanding these interactions is key to preventing acute respiratory illness (ARI) in developing nations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) is a major health concern in young children, particularly in developing countries.
  • Viral infections often precede bacterial infections, increasing disease severity.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common respiratory bacterium implicated in ARI.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate viral respiratory pathogens in young children in the Peruvian Andes.
  • To explore interactions between respiratory viruses and common bacteria, specifically Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • To understand the impact of these interactions on ARI burden and severity.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study design with weekly household visits.
  • Collection of clinical data on ARI signs and symptoms.
  • Nasal and nasopharyngeal samples for viral and bacterial pathogen detection.

Main Results:

  • Viral respiratory infections were assessed in young children.
  • Interactions between viruses and Streptococcus pneumoniae were explored.
  • Data on vaccination, social mixing, and environmental factors were collected.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding virus-bacteria interactions is critical for ARI prevention strategies.
  • Findings are relevant for public health interventions in rural, developing areas.
  • Further research can inform targeted prevention and treatment approaches.

Keywords:
Epidemiologyacute respiratory illnesschildreninfluenzapneumococcus

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