Key result
Respiratory virus testing in 198 hospitalized children with bronchiolitis revealed RSVA (64% in 2008) and RSVB (66% in 2007) as predominant, with a distinct seasonality peaking in October.
Why the study?
To describe the viruses involved, seasonality, and coinfection in hospitalised children with suspected bronchiolitis.
Observational (n=198)
The specific seasonality of bronchiolitis in this tropical climate (August to December) suggests palivizumab prophylaxis should start in early July for high-risk infants.
Variable RSV subtype predominance and lower coinfection rates in this tropical cohort; extends regional epidemiology but leaves open prophylaxis timing implications.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the viruses involved, seasonality and coinfection in hospitalised children with suspected bronchiolitis. METHODS: Over the period 1/07/2007 to 31/12/2008, all children hospitalised for bronchiolitis in the paediatric ward were prospectively included, and had respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) screenings. We retrospectively tested all samples for RSVA, RSVB, rhinovirus (RV), human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza 1, 2, 3, 4, influenza A and influenza B. RESULTS: 198 children were tested, and 23% were negative for all viruses. RSVA was predominant in 2008 (64% of all viruses) and RSVB in 2007 (66% of all viruses). RV was frequent during both seasons (24% of all viruses). Flu was not found during the study period. Virus distribution was similar regardless of season or age, and identical to typical patterns in temperate countries. Coinfections were less frequent than in temperate regions because respiratory virus seasons seem to be better separated. The bronchiolitis season started in August and finished in December with a peak in October. CONCLUSION: The specific seasonality of bronchiolitis infection requires palivizumab prophylaxis starting in early July for high-risk infants.
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Najioullah et al. (2020) conducted an observational in suspected bronchiolitis (n=198). Respiratory virus infection and seasonality was evaluated on Viruses involved, seasonality and coinfection. Respiratory virus testing in 198 hospitalized children with bronchiolitis revealed RSVA (64% in 2008) and RSVB (66% in 2007) as predominant, with a distinct seasonality peaking in October.
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