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Respiratory Tract Illness (respiratory + tract_illness)

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Respiratory syncytial virus infection and immunoprophylaxis for selected high-risk children in Central Australia

AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 5 2005
Srinivas Bolisetty
Abstract Background:,There are limited data on the epidemiology and viral aetiology of bronchiolitis in Central Australia and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunoprophylaxis in an Australian population. Objective:,To (i) determine the incidence and the viral aetiology of bronchiolitis hospitalisations and (ii) report on the usage of RSV immunoprophylaxis in selected high-risk infants and children in Central Australia. Methodology:,A retrospective review was performed of all hospital separations for bronchiolitis for a three-year period, 1998,2000. Respiratory viruses in the nasopharyngeal aspirates were identified from the cases in the year 2000. A combined retrospective chart review and prospective follow up study was undertaken of all the infants and children who received RSV immunoprophylaxis at the Alice Springs Hospital, Central Australia. Results:,Incidence of bronchiolitis hospitalisation in infants for 1998, 1999 and 2000 were 176, 200 and 180 per 1000, respectively. Nine high-risk children had RSV immunoprophylaxis on a total of 46 occasions and there were two mild RSV-related illnesses in them. None had severe lower respiratory tract illness. Conclusion:,The incidence of bronchiolitis in Central Australia is extremely high. The usage of RSV immunoprophylaxis may be justified in selected high-risk children living in high endemic areas. [source]

Prevalence and clinical aspects of human bocavirus infection in children

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 6 2010
L. Karalar
Clin Microbiol Infect 2010; 16: 633,639 Abstract Human bocavirus (HBoV) was recently described as a new member of the Parvoviridae. In order to investigate the suggested association of HBoV with respiratory and gastric disease in infants and young children, sera of 357 paediatric patients hospitalized with infectious and non-infectious diseases were retrospectively analyzed for the presence of HBoV DNA and virus-specific antibodies using quantitative PCR and ELISA, respectively. HBoV seroprevalence was determined to range from 25% in infants younger than 1 year of age to 93% in children aged more than 3 years. Viral loads between 1 × 102 and 1.2 × 106 geq/mL were observed in 6.7% (20/297) of sera obtained preferentially from young children suffering from infectious diseases. HBoV genomes were furthermore detected in 5% (3/60) of sera collected from individuals with non-infectious illnesses. HBoV DNA was present most frequently in patients with respiratory disease (9.6%). Whereas only 5.2% of patients with upper respiratory tract disease were viraemic, HBoV DNA was found in 14.6% and 10.0% of patients with lower respiratory tract illness and pneumonia, respectively. Acute HBoV infections were also observed in 7.5% of patients with gastroenteritis and in one child with inflammatory bowel disease. None of 77 patients hospitalized for various other infectious diseases (e.g. rash, urinary tract infection, meningitis) displayed viraemia. In 60.9% and 47.8% of DNA-positive children, HBoV-specific IgM and IgG was observed, respectively. The present prospective study provides comprehensive data on the clinical association of acute HBoV infection with respiratory illness and on the seroprevalence of virus-specific antibodies in children. [source]

A case of benign acute childhood myositis associated with influenza A (H1N1) virus infection

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 2 2010
M. Koliou
Clin Microbiol Infect 2010; 16: 193,195 Abstract Benign acute childhood myositis (BACM) is a rare transient condition usually occurring at the early convalescent phase of a viral upper respiratory tract illness, normally influenza A, and, more frequently, influenza B infection. It is characterized by acute-onset difficulty in walking as a result of severe bilateral calf pain and by elevated muscle enzymes including creatinine kinase. It is self-limiting because there is rapid full recovery usually within 1 week. We describe the first case of BACM in association with the new pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in an 11-year-old boy from Cyprus. The child had the typical clinical and laboratory characteristics of this clinical syndrome. Prompt diagnosis of this clinical entity is essential to prevent unnecessary investigations and therapeutic interventions and to reassure the patient and parents of the excellent prognosis. [source]

Human metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus infections in older children with cystic fibrosis

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
Daniel F. Garcia MD
Abstract Background: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has been isolated from children with acute respiratory infection worldwide. Its epidemiology remains to be defined in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). We describe the epidemiology and clinical impact of hMPV in CF children and compared it to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Methods: CF children ages 7,18 years were studied prospectively during the 1998,1999 RSV season. Nasopharyngeal specimens were collected during acute respiratory illnesses and tested for respiratory viruses. Blood specimens were drawn early, mid, and end of the RSV season, and tested for serological evidence of hMPV and RSV infections. Rates of lower respiratory tract illnesses (LRTI) and hospitalizations for pulmonary exacerbations were compared during the time intervals they developed serological evidence of infection to their non-infection intervals. Results: Six of 44 CF children had a virus positive respiratory illness in 56 LTRI events and 18 hospitalizations. Serological evidence of hMPV and RSV infections occurred in 16 and 20 CF children, respectively; 8 had infections with both viruses. A greater proportion of CF children had ,1 LRTI during their infection intervals compared to their non-infection intervals (13/25 vs. 5/25; P,=,0.03). A trend for higher rates of LRTI was observed in the infection intervals compared to non-infection intervals (9.5,±,11.0 vs. 4.2,±,9.9 per 1,000 child-days; P,=,0.06), and it was significantly greater with a more conservative estimate (one event per child per interval; 7.4,±,7.7 vs. 2.6,±,5.4 per 1,000 child-days; P,,0.01). No differences in hospitalizations rates were detected. Conclusion: The infection rates and clinical impact observed for hMPV were comparable to that for RSV in CF children 7,18 years of age. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:66,74. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]