Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Published on: December 10, 2013
Respiratory Viral Co-Infections in Pediatric Patients: Clinical Impact and Implications for Healthcare Practice-A
Mariana Șerban Grădinaru1,2, Gabriela Isabela Verga Răuță1,2, Silvia Aura Mateescu Costin1,2
1Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research Center in the Medico-Pharmaceutical Field, "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galati, 800008 Galati, Romania.
Background:
Respiratory viral infections remain a major cause of morbidity and hospitalization in children. The increased use of multiplex molecular assays has improved the detection of simultaneous viral pathogens, raising questions about the clinical relevance of pediatric viral co-infections.
Objective:
The aim of this study is to synthesize recent evidence on respiratory viral co-infections in children, focusing on clinical severity, healthcare burden, mechanisms, and interpretation of multiplex detections.
Methods:
This narrative review included studies published between 1 January 2022 and 30 September 2025, identified through PubMed and Web of Science. Eligible studies involved children and adolescents (0-18 years) with laboratory-confirmed respiratory viral co-infections, mainly detected by multiplex PCR. Evidence was synthesized qualitatively across severity, neutral or inconsistent impact, viral interference, and post-acute implications.
Results:
Forty-five studies were included. The most frequently reported viruses were respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus, adenovirus, influenza virus, and human metapneumovirus (HMPV). Clinical impact was heterogeneous and depended more on specific viral pairings and host factors than on the number of detected viruses. RSV-containing combinations, particularly with HMPV, adenovirus, or rhinovirus, were more often linked to increased respiratory burden, whereas some rhinovirus-associated combinations appeared compatible with viral interference.
Conclusions:
Pediatric respiratory viral co-infection is clinically relevant but context-dependent. Multiplex results should be interpreted together with clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Common Respiratory Disorders
Upper respiratory disorders impact the airways above the vocal cords, encompassing areas like the nose, sinuses, and throat. Various conditions fall under this category, including the common cold and allergic rhinitis. These disorders can stem from several causes,...
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
01:19Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
01:17Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment