مطالعه سندرم هاي تنفسي تحتاني ناشي از ويروس RSV در نوزادان و اطفال

A STUDY OF LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION BY RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS IN INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN

Background and Objectives: Respiratory Syncytial Virus ( RSV ) is the single most important cause of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in infants and young children. The characteristic feature of RSV is severe infection in infants but mild in adults. RSV is found in all parts of the world and outbreaks in cold seasons are associated with an increase in hospitalization of children and deaths from LRTI , so the diagnosis of the virus at an early stage is very important specially in order to avoid improper drug therapy. The aim of our study was to evaluate LRTI caused by RSV in infants by using non- cultural method. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study to evaluate the lower respiratory tract infections, 252 children with respiratory syndrome and sex matched 152 children without any respiratory symptoms were randomly selected as case and control group respectively, and were studied for the detection of RSV antigens by immunofluorescent method. Results: Sixty two samples (24.6%) from case group and single control group sample ( 0. 65 ^o ) were positive for RSV antigens. Statistical analysis showed meaningful correlation between two groups (p< 0.05 ). High prevalence of RSV infection was seen among children between I - 6 months age group and during the month of December. Results of this study showed that the most important clinical features in RSV positive patients were pneumonia (31 ^o ), bronchiolitis (55%), wheezing (41 % ), cyanosis (46%), signs of allergic skin disorders (8%) and conjunctivitis (9%). Statistical analysis didnʹt show any meaningful correlation between the socio - economic status and education of these two groups. Conclusion: RS virus is significant in younger children because it may cause lower respiratory tract infection, and in the presence of certain disease and factors it has been known to cause respiratory failure. Lower respiratory tract infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus can be rapidly diagnosed by fluorescent antigen test.