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Respiratory Viruses and Atypical Bacteria Co-Infection in Children with Acute Respiratory Infection
Nevine R El Baroudy1, Amira S El Refay2, Tamer A Abdel Hamid1
1Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Insights
Coinfections with viruses and atypical bacteria are common in Egyptian children with acute respiratory infections. Early diagnosis using multiplex PCR is crucial for identifying these co-infections and managing severe illness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are a significant pediatric health concern.
- Coinfections involving respiratory viruses and atypical bacteria are frequently observed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of co-infections between viruses, bacteria, and atypical bacteria in Egyptian children with ARI symptoms.
- To investigate the etiological agents responsible for ARI in this pediatric cohort.
Main Methods:
- A one-year prospective cohort study was conducted at Abo El Rish Pediatric Hospital, Cairo University.
- Nasopharyngeal or throat swabs were collected and analyzed using culture, Monoplex PCR, and Multiplex PCR to detect viral, bacterial, and atypical bacterial pathogens.
Main Results:
- Viral agents were identified in 20.8% of cases, with Rhinovirus being the most common.
- Atypical bacterial pathogens, Mycoplasma and Bordetella parapertussis, were detected in 6.8% and 0.8% of cases, respectively.
- Viral and atypical bacterial co-infections were found in 10.6% of the studied children.
Conclusions:
- Coinfection with bacteria or atypical bacteria is common in children with ARI and can lead to severe illness.
- Multiplex reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is an essential tool for epidemiological studies and accurate diagnosis of ARI co-infections.
Background:
Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are one of the prevalent pediatric diseases. Coinfections of respiratory viruses and atypical bacterial respiratory pathogens are common.
Aim:
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of co-infection between respiratory pathogens including viruses, bacteria and atypical bacteria in a sample of Egyptian children presenting with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection.
Methods:
This one-year prospective cohort study conducted in Abo El Rish Pediatric Hospital, Cairo University over one year included children presenting with symptoms of acute respiratory infection. Enrolled children were subjected to nasopharyngeal swabs or throat swabs and then processed to detect viral, bacterial and atypical bacterial causative agents by culture), retrotranscription polymerase, Monoplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Multiplex PCR.
Results:
Viral etiological agents were detected in 20 cases (20.8%), while 76 patients (79.2%) had no definite viral aetiology. The most abundant virus detected was Rhinovirus in 36 (27.3%), followed by 21 (15.9%) were positive for RSV, 12 (9.1%) were positive for HMPV, 6 (4.5%) were positive for adenovirus and 3 (2.3%) were positive for influenza B. For Atypical bacterial causes Mycoplasma were positive for 9 (6.8%) cases and one case was positive for Bordetella parapertussis. Viral and atypical bacteria Co infection were detected in 14 (10.6%) of cases.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that coinfection with bacteria or atypical bacteria in children with acute respiratory tract infection is common and this co-infection can induce serious illness. The multiplex reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction should become an essential tool for epidemiological studies and can fill the gap between clinical presentation and definitive diagnosis.
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