title: Detection of viruses and atypical bacteria associated with acute respiratory infection of children in Hubei, China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Acute respiratory infection is the major cause of disease and death in children, particularly in developing countries. However, the spectrum of pathogenic viruses and atypical bacteria that exist in many of these countries remains incompletely characterized. The aim of this study was to examine the spectrum of pathogenic viruses and atypical bacteria associated with acute respiratory infection in children under the age of 16.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 10 435 serum sera specimens were collected from hospitalized children presenting with acute respiratory infection symptoms. Indirect immunofluorescence assays were performed to detect immunoglobulin M antibodies against nine common pathogens: mycoplasma pneumonia, influenza virus B, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, influenza virus A, legionella pneumophila, coxiella burnetii and chamydophila pneumonia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 10 435 specimens examined, 7046 tested positive for at least one pathogen. Among all of the tested pathogens, mycoplasma pneumonia had the highest detection rate (56.9%). Influenza virus A and influenza virus B epidemics occurred during both winter and summer. The detection rate of respiratory syncytial virus and adenovirus was higher in spring. Cases of mixed infection were more complex: 4136 specimens (39.6%) tested positive for ≥2 pathogens. There were statistically significant difference in detection rates of mycoplasma pneumonia, influenza virus B, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, influenza virus A, legionella pneumophila and chamydophila pneumonia among different age groups (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most common pathogens causing acute respiratory infection among children in Hubei of China were mycoplasma pneumonia, influenza virus B and respiratory syncytial virus. The detection rates for each pathogen displayed specific seasonal and age group variations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Zegang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Hongyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Yongqing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D012621:Seasons; D014780:Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification*
keywords: acute respiratory infection; child; detection rate; mixed infection; pathogen