Incidence and clinical characteristics of the infection by the respiratory syncytial virus in children admitted in Santa Casa de São Paulo Hospital

• Published in: The Brazilian journal of infectious diseases Vol. 12; no. 6; pp. 476 - 479
• Main Authors: Pecchini, Rogério, Berezin, Eitan N, Felício, Maria C Calahani, Passos, Saulo D, Souza, Maria Cândido O de, Lima, Lourdes Rehder de Andrade Vaz de, Ueda, Mirthes, Matsumoto, Tokiko Kyomen, Durigon, Edison L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Contexto 01-12-2008; Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adenovirus; Brazil - epidemiology; Bronchiolitis; Care and treatment; Child, Preschool; Children; Clinical medicine; Demographic aspects; Diagnosis; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; INFECTIOUS DISEASES; Male; Nasopharynx - virology; Pediatric respiratory diseases; Prospective Studies; Respiratory infections; Respiratory syncytial virus; Respiratory syncytial virus infection; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections - epidemiology; Respiratory Tract Infections - epidemiology; Respiratory Tract Infections - virology; RSV; Seasons; Brazil; Children; RSV; Respiratory infections; Bronchiolitis
• ISSN: 1413-8670; 1678-4391; 1678-4391
• DOI: 10.1590/S1413-86702008000600006

The purpose of this study was to identify the rate of infections due to RSV and other viruses in children. In addition we have analyzed demographic data and clinical characteristics of the RSV-positive patients comparing with patients infected by other respiratory viruses. We also described the seasonality of the RSV occurrence in a hospital in São Paulo. Children below 5 years old admitted in Santa Casa de São Paulo Hospital between February 2005 and September 2006 due to acute respiratory infections (ARI) were included. A nasopharyngeal specimens were obtained with sterile No. 5 French feeding catheters as soon as possible (usually within 24 h). Specimens were kept refrigerated at 4 degrees C and transported to Adolfo Lutz Institute, where the indirect immunofluorescent assay was performed. Virus identified by these assay included RSV, Adenovirus, Influenza A and B virus and Parainfluenza 1, 2, and 3. Clinical data from each group was compared. Four hundred and fifty five cases were included in the study, with 30% positive for some type of virus. Viruses that were identified included Respiratory Syncytial Virus (73.03%), Influenza (8.42%), Parainfluenza (8.42%) and Adenovirus (3.37%). We divided the subjects in 3 groups: Group 1 RSV-Positive, Group 2 Other Positive Viruses and Group 3 Negative for Respiratory Virus. Mean age (months) was of 7.5 for RSV-positive children, 7.6 for other viruses, and 8 for negative for respiratory virus. The RSV-Positive Group was significantly younger than the Group Negative for Respiratory Virus (p<0.05). Signs of UAI were more present in the Positive RSV Group (p<0.05). General mortality was of 2.41%. There was a higher incidence of RSV between the months of March and August in the two years of the study. Our study indicates RSV as the most prevalent viral agent in children admitted due to (ARI), especially in infants below 3 months old. We have also found that infections due to RSV can occur in months others than the classic seasonal period.