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Published on: December 10, 2013
Epidemiological characteristics of eleven common respiratory viral infections in children
Suling Li1, Zhengfeng Xue1, Yuxin Feng1
1Department of Pediatrics, Yan'an University Affiliated Hospital, Yan'an, 716000, China.
Insights
This study analyzed viral pathogens in hospitalized children with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in Yan'an. Results show pathogen prevalence varies by age, gender, and season, informing public health strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are a significant cause of pediatric hospitalizations.
- Understanding viral pathogen epidemiology is crucial for public health interventions in regions like Yan'an.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the epidemiological characteristics of viral pathogens causing LRTIs in hospitalized children in Yan'an.
- To identify variations in pathogen prevalence by age, gender, and season.
- To explore risk factors for virus-associated pneumonia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 4565 children with LRTIs from June 2021 to May 2023.
- Multiplex real-time PCR used for detecting eleven common respiratory viruses.
- Evaluation of epidemiological features and high-risk factors for pneumonia.
Main Results:
- A viral pathogen was detected in all cases, with a 27.95% positivity rate.
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV), Rhinovirus (HRV), and Adenovirus (HADV) were most common.
- Infections showed significant variations by season, age (HPIV and HADV more common in <3 years), and gender (males higher except 1-<3 years).
Conclusions:
- Respiratory pathogen infections in children are influenced by gender, season, and age.
- Findings highlight the need for targeted public health strategies based on epidemiological data.
Background:
Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are one of the leading causes of hospital admissions among children. In this study, we aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of viral pathogens associated with LRTIs in hospitalized children in Yan'an; this has yet to be reported in the literature and may guide public health interventions and resource allocation in this region.
Methods:
Between June 2021 and May 2023, we conducted a retrospective analysis of the results of viral detection using oral pharyngeal swabs from 4565 children with LRTIs in the Inpatient Department of Yan'an University Affiliated Hospital. Eleven respiratory viruses, including influenza A virus (Flu A), influenza A H1N1 virus (H1N1), seasonal influenza A H3N2 virus (H3N2), influenza B virus (Flu B), parainfluenza virus (HPIV), adenovirus (HADV), bocavirus (HBoV), rhinovirus (HRV), metapneumovirus (HNPV), coronavirus (HCoV), and respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), were confirmed by applying a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kit for respiratory viruses. We evaluated the epidemiological features of infections caused by respiratory pathogens, including aging, gender and the seasonal variations of different pathogens, and explored the high-risk factors associated with virus-caused pneumonia.
Results:
At least one virus was detected in all 4565 cases; the positivity rate was 27.95%. We also detected a total of 1,276 cases with mixed infections (with two or more viruses). Of the positive cases, 59.3% were male and 40.7% were female (x2 = 0.41, P = 0.68). The highest positivity rates for respiratory pathogens were observed for HRSV, HRV, and HADV, at 5.98%, 5.67%, and 4.38%, respectively. We also observed variations in the number and positivity rates of respiratory pathogen infections by season, age and gender. HPIV (x2 = 12.05, P < 0.05) and HADV (x2 = 11.73, P < 0.05) were more common in children under three years-of-age. Notably, with the exception of the 1 to < 3 years age group, males consistently demonstrated elevated infection rates across other age groups.
Conclusions:
Our analysis revealed that respiratory pathogen infections varied by gender, season, and age in the enrolled population of children.
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