Viral etiology of acute febrile respiratory illnesses in hospitalized children younger than 24 months.
BACKGROUND
Respiratory infections are a leading cause of pediatric hospitalizations. This study investigated whether virus-virus or virus-Bordetella co-infections are more frequent or more severe than previously recognized.


METHODS
This is a 3-year prospective study of children younger than 24 months hospitalized with a febrile respiratory illness. Viral pathogens were detected using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme-linked immunoassays, and/or viral cultures from nasopharyngeal samples. Bordetella infections were detected by PCR.


RESULTS
A total of 201 patients were enrolled. Respiratory viruses were detected in 187 (93%) patients, with 52 (28%) multipathogen infections. The most common viruses detected were respiratory syncytial virus and rhinovirus/enterovirus. There were no differences in illness severity when comparing patients infected with one pathogen and those with multipathogen infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Virus co-infection in young children hospitalized with an acute febrile respiratory infection is common but does not appear to be associated with illness severity.
Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
Manika
M
Suryadevara
Erin
E
Cummings
Cynthia A
CA
Bonville
Nadine
N
Bartholoma
Scott
S
Riddell
Deanna
D
Kiska
Helene F
HF
Rosenberg
Joseph B
JB
Domachowske
D000208:Acute Disease; D002673:Child, Hospitalized; D015897:Comorbidity; D004770:Enterovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D012229:Rhinovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
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