Frequency of respiratory viruses in children with lower respiratory tract infection

Aim: Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) have high morbidity rates in children. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the prevalence of respiratory viruses in children with LRTI symptoms. Material and Method: A total of 160 children who were diagnosed with LRTI between October 2009 and March 2010 were included into the study. The presence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (A+B), influenza virus (A+B), parainfluenza virus (PIV) (1, 2, 3, 4), human metapneumovirus, rhinovirus and coronavirus (OC43+229E) in throat swab samples were investigated by real-time PCR The Real Accurate TM Respiratory RT PCR Kit (PathoFinder B.V., Netherlands). Results: In 67 samples (41.8%), at least one virus which could cause acute respiratory tract infection was found. Overall, RSV was the most frequently identified virus (52.2%), followed by rhinovirus (26.8%), coronavirus (5%), metapneumovirus (2.9%) and PIV 1 (1.4%). As the other viral agents, coronavirus was detected in 4 samples (5%), hMPV was detected in 2 samples (2.9%) and PIV was detected in 1 sample (1.4%). When the frequency of coinfections was evaluated, RSV-rhinovirus association was found in 4 samples, RSV-coronavirus association was found in 1 sample, rhinovirus-coronavirus association was found in 1 sample and RSV-rhinovirus-Coronavirus association was found in 1 sample. Conclusions: In 41.8% of the study group, a viral factor responsible for the clinical signs was detected. For that reason, rapid and sensitive diagnosis of viruses which lead to respiratory infections will guide the clinician for avoidance of redundant antibiotic therapy and preventing viral hospital infections.