Chih-An Chou1, Ting-I Lin1, Yu-Shen Chen2, Po-Yen Liu1, Yung-Feng Huang3, Ying-Yao Chen1, Kai-Sheng Hsieh1, Yao-Shen Chen4, Luo-Ping Ger5. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan. 2. Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Pingtung Branch of Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Pingtung, Taiwan. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: yf5012@hotmail.com. 4. Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 5. Department of Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) play an important role in pediatric diseases; however, there are limited data about LRTIs in Southern Taiwan. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and epidemiological data of LRTIs in this area. METHODS: Children aged under 5 years who were hospitalized at a medical center in Southern Taiwan with acute LRTIs from July 2010 to October 2010 (summer) and from March 2011 to May 2011 (spring) were prospectively enrolled. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained and sent for viral cultures, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and traditional quick tests. The clinical features, laboratory data, and imaging findings were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 90 children were enrolled, 70 of whom had detectable pathogens. The positive rate of conventional viral and bacterial cultures was 25.6%, which increased to 77.77% after combining with the two multiplex PCR methods. Adenovirus and enterovirus were the most common viral etiologies identified (26.5% of cases) and Streptococcus pneumoniae was the leading bacterial etiology (46.4%). The seasonal trend of viral infections in Southern Taiwan was different from Northern Taiwan. There were no differences in demographic data, severity of disease, or hospital stay between single and mixed infections. A similar result was found between nonpneumococcal and pneumococcal infections. CONCLUSION: Viral infections were the main etiologies of LRTIs in young children. Multiplex PCR methods are rapid assays that can increase the diagnostic yield rate. Mixed infections do not seem to affect the severity of disease. Early detection may aid clinicians in appropriate decision-making and treatment.
BACKGROUND: Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) play an important role in pediatric diseases; however, there are limited data about LRTIs in Southern Taiwan. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and epidemiological data of LRTIs in this area. METHODS:Children aged under 5 years who were hospitalized at a medical center in Southern Taiwan with acute LRTIs from July 2010 to October 2010 (summer) and from March 2011 to May 2011 (spring) were prospectively enrolled. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained and sent for viral cultures, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and traditional quick tests. The clinical features, laboratory data, and imaging findings were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 90 children were enrolled, 70 of whom had detectable pathogens. The positive rate of conventional viral and bacterial cultures was 25.6%, which increased to 77.77% after combining with the two multiplex PCR methods. Adenovirus and enterovirus were the most common viral etiologies identified (26.5% of cases) and Streptococcus pneumoniae was the leading bacterial etiology (46.4%). The seasonal trend of viral infections in Southern Taiwan was different from Northern Taiwan. There were no differences in demographic data, severity of disease, or hospital stay between single and mixed infections. A similar result was found between nonpneumococcal and pneumococcal infections. CONCLUSION:Viral infections were the main etiologies of LRTIs in young children. Multiplex PCR methods are rapid assays that can increase the diagnostic yield rate. Mixed infections do not seem to affect the severity of disease. Early detection may aid clinicians in appropriate decision-making and treatment.
Authors: Vu Thi Ty Hang; Nguyen Thi Han Ny; Tran My Phuc; Pham Thi Thanh Tam; Dang Thao Huong; Ho Dang Trung Nghia; Nguyen Tran Anh Vu; Pham Thi Hong Phuong; Nguyen Van Xang; Nguyen Dong; Pham Nhu Hiep; Nguyen Van Hung; Tran Tinh Hien; Maia Rabaa; Guy E Thwaites; Stephen Baker; Le Van Tan; H Rogier van Doorn Journal: Wellcome Open Res Date: 2017-09-05