engleski

Multiple viral respiratory infections in dependence of the localization and clinical presentation of infection in children

Background and aims: Acute respiratory tract infection is a leading cause of hospitalization of children, particularly infants younger than one year. Molecular methods are more sensitive for diagnosis of the main pathogens that cause respiratory tract infections compared with conventional methods and obtains results in a clinically relevant time period. Methods: This study used a rapid and sensitive method (multiplex PCR assay) to detect 12 different respiratory pathogens including influenza A, influenza B, parainfluenza (PIV) types 1, 2 and 3, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) groups A and B, adenovirus, human rhinovirus, human metapneumovirus (MPV) and human coronavirus OC43/HKU1 and 229E/NL63 from respiratory specimens of 62 children treated over 3-month period (February-May) for acute viral respiratory tract infections in the Clinic for Children Diseases in Zagreb. Results: Viruses were identified in 54 (87.1%) of the children. Influenza A and influenza B viruses were not detected, RSV was detected in 29 (46.8%), PIV in 25 (40.3%), rhinovirus in 17 (27.4%), MPV in nine (14.5%), adenovirus in six (9.7%) and coronaviruses in three (4.8%) of the patients. Rhinoviruses and coronaviruses were detected for the first time in Croatia. Coinfections with two or more viruses were observed in 27 (50%) patients. Eighteen patients (60%) infected with RSV had a coinfection, while six out of nine patients tested positive for MPV had a coinfection. RSV was significantly associated with lower respiratory tract infections (χ²=10.6 ; p<0.01). Presence of a multiple infection was not significantly associated with severity or localization of the infection (p>0.05). Conclusions: Multiplex PCR assays are important new tools for rapid microbiological diagnosis. Further investigations are needed to broaden our understanding of the significance of multiple viral infections in pathogenesis of respiratory tract infection

Respiratory tract infections; rapid microbiological diagnosis; multiplex PCR assay

nije evidentirano