Investigation of respiratory syncytial virus in children with respiratory tract infection by real-time polymerase chain reaction
Abstract
Aim: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common agent of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in the early stages of life. This study aimed to investigate RSV A/B in children with RTIs by multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and evaluate the distribution of RSV among age groups, concurrent co-infections, and features of its seasonal distribution.
Methods: Zero to eighteen-year-old patients whose nasopharyngeal swab samples were analyzed with the pre-diagnosis of RTI between April 2015 - March 2018 were included in this cross-sectional study. RSV A/B and other viruses of the respiratory panel were investigated with the multiplex real-time PCR method.
Results: Median age of 2707 patients was 1 (age range: 0-18) and 57.4% (1554) of them were male. RSV positivity was found in 14.4% (390). Prevalence of RSV in females and males were 13.6% and 15.5% respectively (P=0.16). The highest RSV rate was 18.1% in those younger than one year. Mixed infection factors were found in 5.4%, the most common ones being RSV and human rhinovirus (1.8%). RSV was mostly seen in December, followed by January and February (P<0.001).
Conclusion: RSV was found in 14.4% of the pediatric patients with RTI. We found that RSV was more common under the age of 1. In this study, we determined that RSV was commonly seen in winter. Early diagnosis of RSV with real-time PCR plays a crucial role in the prevention of unnecessary use of antibiotics and nosocomial infections. It may also help to implement an effective approach to the prevention, control, and treatment of RTIs during winter when the incidence increases.
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Supporting Institution
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Medical Microbiology
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Ayfer Bakır
*
0000-0002-9006-5267
Türkiye
Nuran Karabulut
This is me
0000-0003-3550-2599
Türkiye
Sema Alaçam
0000-0001-7957-2906
Türkiye
Sevim Meşe
0000-0001-9992-4489
Türkiye
Murat Yaman
This is me
0000-0002-3685-0483
Türkiye
Ayper Somer
0000-0002-7827-1113
Türkiye
Ali Ağaçfidan
This is me
0000-0002-5470-296X
Türkiye
Publication Date
October 1, 2019
Submission Date
October 11, 2019
Acceptance Date
October 27, 2019
Published in Issue
Year 2019 Volume: 3 Number: 10