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Infections due to parainfluenza virus type 4 in children
E E Rubin1, P Quennec, J C McDonald
1Department of Microbiology, Montreal Children's Hospital, Quebec, Canada.
Insights
Parainfluenza type 4 virus infections in children can cause severe respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchiolitis. This study suggests PI-4 may be more common and serious than previously thought.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Virology
- Respiratory Illnesses
Background:
- Parainfluenza viruses (PIVs) are significant causes of pediatric respiratory hospitalizations.
- The clinical spectrum of parainfluenza type 4 (PIV4) infections remains poorly defined.
- PIV4 diagnosis is challenging due to difficulties in viral isolation.
Observation:
- A case series of 10 children with PIV4 infection at Montreal Children's Hospital (1988-1992).
- Patients ranged in age from newborn to young children, with an average age of 29.7 months.
- Symptoms included bronchiolitis, pneumonia, severe coughing, apnea, and aseptic meningitis.
Findings:
- PIV4 infection was associated with severe respiratory conditions in 50% of cases.
- Eight out of ten children required hospitalization.
- The study highlights potentially underrecognized severity and prevalence of PIV4.
Implications:
- PIV4 may be a more frequent and severe pathogen in children than previously recognized.
- Clinical awareness and diagnostic approaches for PIV4 may need reevaluation.
- Further research is warranted to understand the full impact of PIV4 on pediatric health.
Abstract:
Parainfluenza viruses are a major cause of hospitalization for respiratory illness in children. The spectrum of clinical illness associated with infection due to parainfluenza type 4 virus has not been well defined. It is technically difficult to isolate the virus in tissue culture, and because illness is generally reported to be mild, in many cases, patients may not seek medical attention. We describe a series of 10 children with parainfluenza type 4 virus infection who were seen at the Montreal Children's Hospital between 1988 and 1992. There were five males and five females whose average age was 29.7 months. Infection was associated with symptoms of bronchiolitis or pneumonia in 5 children, paroxysmal coughing in 3 infants, apnea in 1 newborn, and aseptic meningitis in 1 child. Hospitalization was required for 8 of the 10 children. It appears that infection with parainfluenza type 4 virus may be more common than previously recognized, and it may be associated with more severe infections.