Respiratory viruses in acute respiratory tract infections in Western India

Objective. To study the circulation pattern of respiratory viruses in out patients department (OPD) and hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infection. Methods. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from 385 children with acute respiratory tract infections attending the OPD (n= 199, 51.7%) and admitted to pediatric ward (n= 186, 43.2%). Specimens were screened for seven respiratory viruses by immunofluoresence test (IFT) using Respiratory panel 1 screening and identification kit. Results. Viral antigens were detected in 57 (28.6%) and 86 (46.2%) patients from OPD and admitted cases respectively, giving an overall positivity of 143 (37.1%) for respiratory viruses. Of the six respiratory viruses, the most common was respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in 100 (26%) patients, followed by influenza viruses in 21 (5.4%), parainfluenza in 8 (2.07%), adenovirus in 3 (0.8%). One patient had mixed infection of RSV and adenovirus. RSV was most frequently detected in the hospitalized children (39.8%). Conclusion. RSV appeared to be the most common respiratory viral infection in the age group 0-1 year causing hospitalization.