Submit manuscript

Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza Virus Associated Hospitalization in Urban Thai Infants

Piyarat Suntarattiwong MD*, Kanokwan Sojisirikul MD*, Pranee Sitaposa MD*, Aruntip Pornpatanangkoon MD*, Malinee Chittaganpitch BSc**, Sarunya Srijuntongsiri MD*, Tawee Chotpitayasunondh MD*

Affiliation : * Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Thai National Influenza Center, National Institute of Health, Department of Medical Science, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand

Background : Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza infections are among the leading cause of hospitalized lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in children especially among those younger than 1 year of age. Few descriptions of these 2 important viruses in Thai children less than 1 year of age have been published. Material and Method: The authors conducted a prospective study of children 1-12 months old hospitalized at a pediatric tertiary-care hospital in Bangkok with LRTI during the period December 2007 to August 2009. Respiratory specimens were tested for influenza A/B virus and RSV using a reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Results : Twenty-six (7.3%) had RT-PCR positive for influenza and 104 (29.4%) for RSV from 354 infants. Clinical diagnoses included pneumonia (73.4%), bronchiolitis (17.5%), croup (6.5%) and bronchitis (2.5%) and were similar among groups except the proportion of croup was significantly lower in RSV (p = .018). The proportion of RSV infection was highest between July and October (42-76%). RSV patients were more likely to present with higher temperature than the negative RT-PCR patients (p = .031). Oseltamivir was prescribed in 7.7% of influenza infections. Intravenous antibiotics were prescribed in 69.2%, 56.7% and 60.7% of the influenza, RSV and negative group respectively (p = .736). Percentages of patients requiring mechanical ventilation were 3.8, 6.7 and 6.3% among the influenza, RSV, and negative group respectively (p = .861). Three patients died: 2 from RSV and 1 from the negative group. All three fatality cases had existing co-morbidity.
Conclusion : A high proportion of RSV was detected in infants hospitalized with LRTI especially during July to October. High proportion of antibiotic prescription and relatively low rate of oseltamivir treatment were identified. Surveillance data and the availability of a rapid and reliable viral diagnostic test may help guide treatment, thereby improve outcome of this vulnerable population.

Keywords : Influenza, Respiratory syncytial virus, Hospitalized, Lower respiratory tract infection, Infant, Thailand


All Articles Download


INFORMATION

Contact info

JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF THAILAND
4th Floor, Royal Golden Jubilee Building,
2 Soi Soonvijai, New Petchburi road,
Bangkok 10310, Thailand.
Phone: 0-2716-6102, 0-2716-6962
Fax: 0-2314-6305
Email: editor@jmatonline.com

JMed Assoc Thai
MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF THAILAND
ISSN: 0125-2208 (Print),
ISSN: 2408-1981 (Online)
The content of this site is intended for health professionals.

Submissions

» Online Submissions » Author Guidelines » Copyright Notice » Privacy Statement

Other

» Journal Sponsorship » Site Map » About this Publishing System

© MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF THAILAND. All Rights Reserved. The content of this site is intended for health professionals.