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Respiratory Infection-Related Pathogens in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit During 2019-2024 in Hubei, China
Jiahui Chen1,2,3,4, Ying Li1,2,5,6, Dan Sun7
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wuhan Children's Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430014, China.
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 27, 2026
Summary
Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) respiratory infections are common in young children. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Streptococcus pneumoniae were most frequent, with distinct age and seasonal patterns influencing infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
- Infectious Diseases Epidemiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Respiratory infections are a major cause of pediatric hospitalization and mortality.
- The pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) manages severe cases, but pathogen epidemiology is unclear.
- Understanding pathogen patterns is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the spectrum and epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in PICU patients.
- To analyze age- and season-specific patterns of these infections.
- To inform surveillance, diagnostics, and infection control strategies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of respiratory pathogen testing from 2126 PICU patients (2019-2024).
- Evaluation of pathogen spectrum across different age groups and seasons.
- Assessment of common pathogen prevalence and multiplex detection utility.
Main Results:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most common viral pathogen (18.06%).
- Streptococcus pneumoniae was the predominant non-viral pathogen (6.96%).
- Highest infection burden observed in children aged ≤ 1 year and 3 < age ≤ 6 years.
Conclusions:
- Early childhood is a high-risk period for severe respiratory infections requiring PICU admission.
- Pathogen distribution and seasonal patterns vary significantly by age group.
- Multiplex pathogen screening is clinically valuable, covering 75% of PICU respiratory infections.
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