BACKGROUND Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory infections among children.AIM To investigate the proportion of RSV and non-RSV respiratory viral infections among hospitalized childr...BACKGROUND Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory infections among children.AIM To investigate the proportion of RSV and non-RSV respiratory viral infections among hospitalized children ≤ 5 years.METHODS Hospitalized children aged < 5 years, with a diagnosis of acute lower respiratory infections(ALRI), admitted between August 2011-August 2013, were included.Cases were defined as laboratory-confirmed RSV and non-RSV respiratory viruses by direct fluorescence assay from the nasopharyngeal wash.RESULTS Of 383 1-59 mo old children hospitalized with an acute lower respiratory infection, 33.9%(130/383) had evidence of viral infection, and RSV was detected in 24.5%(94/383). Co-infections with RSV and other respiratory viruses(influenza A or B, adenovirus, para influenza 1, 2 or 3) were seen in children 5.5%(21/383). Over 90% of the RSV-positive children were under 2 years of age. RSV was detected throughout the year with peaks seen after the monsoon season.Children hospitalized with RSV infection were more likely to have been exposed to a shorter duration of breastfeeding of less than 3 mo. RSV positive children had a shorter hospital stay, although there were significant complications requiring intensive care. Use of antibiotics was high among those with RSV and non-RSV viral infections.CONCLUSION Our study provides evidence of a high proportion of RSV and other virusassociated ALRI among hospitalized children in India. RSV infection was associated with fewer days of hospital stay compared to other causes of lower respiratory infections. A high level of antibiotic use was seen among all respiratory virus-associated hospitalizations. These results suggest the need for implementing routine diagnostics for respiratory pathogens in order to minimize the use of unnecessary antibiotics and plan prevention strategies among pediatric populations.展开更多
In the early months of the pandemic,most reported cases and deaths due to COVID-19 occurred in high-income countries.However,insufficient testing could have led to an underestimation of true infections in many low-and...In the early months of the pandemic,most reported cases and deaths due to COVID-19 occurred in high-income countries.However,insufficient testing could have led to an underestimation of true infections in many low-and middle-income countries.As confirmed cases increase,the ultimate impact of the pandemic on individuals and communities in low-and middle-income countries is uncertain.We therefore propose research in three broad areas as urgently needed to inform responses in low-and middle-income countries:transmission patterns of SARS-CoV-2,the clinical characteristics of the disease,and the impact of pandemic prevention and response measures.Answering these questions will require a multidisciplinary approach led by local investigators and in some cases additional resources.Targeted research activities should be done to help mitigate the potential burden of COVID-19 in low-and middle-income countries without diverting the limited human resources,funding,or medical supplies from response activities.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory infections among children.AIM To investigate the proportion of RSV and non-RSV respiratory viral infections among hospitalized children ≤ 5 years.METHODS Hospitalized children aged < 5 years, with a diagnosis of acute lower respiratory infections(ALRI), admitted between August 2011-August 2013, were included.Cases were defined as laboratory-confirmed RSV and non-RSV respiratory viruses by direct fluorescence assay from the nasopharyngeal wash.RESULTS Of 383 1-59 mo old children hospitalized with an acute lower respiratory infection, 33.9%(130/383) had evidence of viral infection, and RSV was detected in 24.5%(94/383). Co-infections with RSV and other respiratory viruses(influenza A or B, adenovirus, para influenza 1, 2 or 3) were seen in children 5.5%(21/383). Over 90% of the RSV-positive children were under 2 years of age. RSV was detected throughout the year with peaks seen after the monsoon season.Children hospitalized with RSV infection were more likely to have been exposed to a shorter duration of breastfeeding of less than 3 mo. RSV positive children had a shorter hospital stay, although there were significant complications requiring intensive care. Use of antibiotics was high among those with RSV and non-RSV viral infections.CONCLUSION Our study provides evidence of a high proportion of RSV and other virusassociated ALRI among hospitalized children in India. RSV infection was associated with fewer days of hospital stay compared to other causes of lower respiratory infections. A high level of antibiotic use was seen among all respiratory virus-associated hospitalizations. These results suggest the need for implementing routine diagnostics for respiratory pathogens in order to minimize the use of unnecessary antibiotics and plan prevention strategies among pediatric populations.
文摘In the early months of the pandemic,most reported cases and deaths due to COVID-19 occurred in high-income countries.However,insufficient testing could have led to an underestimation of true infections in many low-and middle-income countries.As confirmed cases increase,the ultimate impact of the pandemic on individuals and communities in low-and middle-income countries is uncertain.We therefore propose research in three broad areas as urgently needed to inform responses in low-and middle-income countries:transmission patterns of SARS-CoV-2,the clinical characteristics of the disease,and the impact of pandemic prevention and response measures.Answering these questions will require a multidisciplinary approach led by local investigators and in some cases additional resources.Targeted research activities should be done to help mitigate the potential burden of COVID-19 in low-and middle-income countries without diverting the limited human resources,funding,or medical supplies from response activities.
