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Published on: December 10, 2013
Viral aetiology of wheezing in children under five
Prithi Sureka Mummidi1, Radha Tripathy1, Bhagirathi Dwibedi2
1Department of Paediatrics, Hitech Medical College & Hospital, Bhubaneswar, India.
Insights
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza virus (PIV) were the most common viral causes of wheezing in young children with acute respiratory infections. Mixed viral infections were also frequent, highlighting the complex etiology of pediatric wheezing.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Virology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Wheezing is a frequent symptom in children under five experiencing acute respiratory infections (ARIs).
- Viruses are a significant cause of ARIs in this age group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the viral causes of wheezing in children under five admitted to a tertiary care hospital in eastern India.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-five children under five with wheezing were enrolled.
- Throat and nasal swabs were analyzed using real-time multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
- The PCR assay screened for a panel of common respiratory viruses including influenza, RSV, PIV, rhinovirus, and others.
Main Results:
- A viral detection rate of 28.57% was observed.
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most prevalent (35%), followed by parainfluenza virus (PIV) (20%), human bocavirus (HBoV) (10%), and rhinovirus (5%).
- Mixed viral infections occurred in 30% of cases, with RSV and PIV accounting for 55% of identified viral agents.
Conclusions:
- Respiratory viruses were identified in over 28% of wheezing children, with RSV and PIV being the most common pathogens.
- The high rate of mixed infections suggests complex viral interactions in pediatric wheezing.
- Seasonal variations in virus occurrence were noted, warranting further investigation with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up.
Background & Objectives:
Wheezing is a common problem in children under five with acute respiratory infections (ARIs). Viruses are known to be responsible for a considerable proportion of ARIs in children. This study was undertaken to know the viral aetiology of wheezing among the children less than five years of age, admitted to a tertiary care hospital in eastern India.
Methods:
Seventy five children, under the age of five years admitted with wheezing, were included in the study. Throat and nasal swabs were collected, and real-time multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to screen for influenza 1 and 2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV) 1, 2, 3 and 4, rhinovirus, human meta-pneumovirus, bocavirus (HBoV), Coronavirus, adenovirus, Enterovirus and Parechovirus.
Results:
The total viral detection rate was 28.57 per cent. Viral RNA markers were detected from children diagnosed to be having pneumonia (3 cases), bronchiolitis (9 cases), episodic wheeze (2 cases) and multitrigger wheeze (6 cases). RSV was the most common virus (35%) followed by PIV1, 2 and 3 (20%), HBoV (10%) and rhinovirus (5%). However, mixed infection was observed in 30 per cent of cases.
Interpretation & Conclusions:
The study reported the presence of respiratory viral agents in 28.57 per cent of children with wheezing; RSV and PIV were most common, accounting to 55 per cent of the total cases. Mixed infection was reported in 30 per cent of cases. Seasonal variation in the occurrence of these viruses was also noted. Further studies need to be done with a large sample and longer follow up period to verify these findings.
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