title: Viral etiologies of acute respiratory infections among hospitalized Vietnamese children in Ho Chi Minh City, 2004-2008.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The dominant viral etiologies responsible for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are poorly understood, particularly among hospitalized children in resource-limited tropical countries where morbidity and mortality caused by ARIs are highest. Improved etiological insight is needed to improve clinical management and prevention.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a three-year prospective descriptive study of severe respiratory illness among children from 2 months to 13 years of age within the largest referral hospital for infectious diseases in southern Vietnam.
  
  
  METHODS
  Molecular detection for 15 viral species and subtypes was performed on three types of respiratory specimens (nose, throat swabs and nasopharyngeal aspirates) using a multiplex RT-PCR kit (Seeplex™ RV detection, Seegene) and additional monoplex real-time RT-PCRs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 309 children were enrolled from November 2004 to January 2008. Viruses were identified in 72% (222/309) of cases, including respiratory syncytial virus (24%), influenza virus A and B (17%), human bocavirus (16%), enterovirus (9%), human coronavirus (8%), human metapneumovirus (7%), parainfluenza virus 1-3 (6%), adenovirus (5%), and human rhinovirus A (4%). Co-infections with multiple viruses were detected in 20% (62/309) of patients. When combined, diagnostic yields in nose and throat swabs were similar to nasopharyngeal aspirates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Similar to other parts in the world, RSV and influenza were the predominant viral pathogens detected in Vietnamese hospitalized children. Combined nasal and throat swabs are the specimens of choice for sensitive molecular detection of a broad panel of viral agents. Further research is required to better understand the clinical significance of single versus multiple viral coinfections and to address the role of bacterial (co-)infections involved in severe respiratory illness.
authors: Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Program, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. hadla@oucru.org
authors: Anh Ha Lien
authors: AH
authors: Do
authors: H Rogier
authors: HR
authors: van Doorn
authors: My Ngoc
authors: MN
authors: Nghiem
authors: Juliet E
authors: JE
authors: Bryant
authors: Thanh Hang thi
authors: TH
authors: Hoang
authors: Quang Ha
authors: QH
authors: Do
authors: Tan Le
authors: TL
authors: Van
authors: Tan Thanh
authors: TT
authors: Tran
authors: Bridget
authors: B
authors: Wills
authors: Vinh Chau van
authors: VC
authors: Nguyen
authors: Minh Hien
authors: MH
authors: Vo
authors: Cong Khanh
authors: CK
authors: Vo
authors: Minh Dung
authors: MD
authors: Nguyen
authors: Jeremy
authors: J
authors: Farrar
authors: Tinh Hien
authors: TH
authors: Tran
authors: Menno D
authors: MD
authors: de Jong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology*; D012621:Seasons; D014744:Vietnam