[Viral pathogens of acute respiratory infection in hospitalized children from Suzhou].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the viral pathogens of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in hospitalized children from Suzhou of China.


METHODS
The nasopharyngeal aspirate samples were obtained from 1,668 hospitalized children with ARI. Common respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus A and B, parainfluenza viruses 1, 2 and 3 and adenovirus, were detected using direct immunofluorescence. Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) gene fragments were detected by RT-PCR.


RESULTS
Viral agents were identified in 597 cases (35.8%). RSV was the most frequent (17.6%). RSV infection is more common in children less than 1 year old. A highest detection rate of RSV was found during winter and spring. hMPV was detected in 10.6% of the cases, with a peak detection rate between March and May. Single viral infection was found in 561 cases (33.6%) and mixed viral infection in 36 cases (including 27 cases at age of less than 1 year). RSV and hMPV co-infection was common (n=22).


CONCLUSIONS
RSV is common pathogen of ARI in children from Suzhou. RSV viral activity peaks during winter and spring. The children at age of less than 1 year are susceptible to RSV. hMPV is also an important pathogen of ARI, with a peak detection rate between March and May. Mixed viral infection is common in children less than 1 year old.
Wan
Feng-Guo
FG
Clinical Laboratory, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Suzhou University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, China. szfgwan@126.com
Zhang
Xue-Lan
XL
Shao
Xue-Jun
XJ
Xu
Jun
J
Ding
Yun-Fang
YF
D000208:Acute Disease; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D029121:Metapneumovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000821:virology*; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D012621:Seasons