Summary:
Introduction: The impact of viral coinfections and recently discovered viruses
on epidemiology of respiratory infections (RI) in children is still unclear.
Aim: Simultaneously detection of viruses that are involved in the etiology of
RI. Methods: We used a microarrays assay that identifies 17 different viruses
or subtypes, Adenovirus, Bocavirus, Coronavirus Type 229, Echo virus, Influenza
A,B,C, Parainfluenza 1,2,3,4 (Α,Β), Human metapneumovirus A,B, Rhinovirus, RSV
A,Β .
Results: Rhinopharyngeal washes were taken from 685 children (1 month-14 years)
who presented in the emergency department with RI from June 2010 to April 2012
and treated as outpatients (299, 44%) or hospitalized (386, 56%). Coinfections
are detected at 28.3% of study population. Out of 452 children (66%) that
microarrays detected viral infection, a single virus was found in 258 (57%) and
2 or more viruses in 196 (43%). The most prevalent viruses among children with
positive samples were RSVA (25.8%), RSVB (23.5%) PIV (17.7%). Most common viral
coinfections were RSVA-RSVB (7.3%), PIV3-Rhinovirus (1.8%), RSVB-Rhinovirus
(1.3%) και RSVΑ-Rhinovirus (1.0%). Multiple regression analysis revealed that
viral coinfections were associated with increased possibility for
hospitalization ((OR=1.46; 95% CI: 1.02-2.18).
Conclusions: Viral coinfections are involved in a significant percentage of
acute RI in children and may affect the severity of clinical presentation, as
they are associated with increased possibility for hospitalization.
Keywords:
Respiratory viruses, Coinfection, Epidemiology, Infection, Microarrays
