Role of respiratory viruses in acute upper and lower respiratory tract illness in the first year of life: a birth cohort study

MMH Kusel, NH de Klerk, PG Holt… - The Pediatric …, 2006 - journals.lww.com
MMH Kusel, NH de Klerk, PG Holt, T Kebadze, SL Johnston, PD Sly
The Pediatric infectious disease journal, 2006journals.lww.com
Objective: To investigate the role of all common respiratory viruses as upper and lower
respiratory tract pathogens in the first year of life. Study Design: This community-based birth
cohort study prospectively collected detailed information on all ARI contracted by 263 infants
from birth until 1 year of age. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected for each ARI
episode, and all common respiratory viruses were detected by polymerase chain reaction.
Episodes were classified as upper respiratory illnesses or lower respiratory illnesses (LRI) …
Objective:
To investigate the role of all common respiratory viruses as upper and lower respiratory tract pathogens in the first year of life.
Study Design:
This community-based birth cohort study prospectively collected detailed information on all ARI contracted by 263 infants from birth until 1 year of age. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected for each ARI episode, and all common respiratory viruses were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Episodes were classified as upper respiratory illnesses or lower respiratory illnesses (LRI), with or without wheeze.
Results:
The majority reported 2–5 episodes of ARI in the first year (range, 0–11 episodes; mean, 4.1). One-third were LRI, and 29% of these were associated with wheeze. Viruses were detected in 69% of ARI; most common were rhinoviruses (48.5%) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)(10.9%). Compared with RSV,> 10 times the number of upper respiratory illnesses and> 3 times the number of both LRI and wheezing LRI were attributed to rhinoviruses.
Conclusion:
Rhinoviruses are the major upper and lower respiratory pathogens in the first year of life. Although RSV is strongly associated with severe LRI requiring hospitalization, the role of rhinoviruses as the major lower respiratory pathogens in infants has not previously been recognized.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins