Acute viral respiratory infections among children in MERS-endemic Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2012–2013

Abstract

Introduction

The emergence of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) emergence in Saudi Arabia has intensified focus on Acute Respiratory Infections [ARIs]. This study sought to identify respiratory viruses (RVs) associated with ARIs in children presenting at a tertiary hospital.

Methods

Children (aged ≤ 13) presenting with ARI between January 2012 and December 2013 tested for 15 RVs using the Seeplex^R RV15 kit were retrospectively included. Epidemiological data was retrieved from patient records.

Results

Of the 2235 children tested, 61.5% were ≤1 year with a male: female ratio of 3:2. Viruses were detected in 1364 (61.02%) children, 233(10.4%) having dual infections: these viruses include respiratory syncytial virus RSV) (24%), human rhinovirus (hRV) (19.7%), adenovirus (5.7%), influenza virus (5.3%) and parainfluenzavirus-3 (4.6%). Children aged 9-11 months were most infected (60.9%). Lower respiratory tract infections (55.4 %) were significantly more than upper respiratory tract infection (45.3 %) (P<0.001). Seasonal variation of RV was directly and inversely proportional to relative humidity and temperature, respectively, for non MERS coronaviruses (NL63, 229E and OC43).

Conclusion

The study confirms community-acquired RV associated with ARI in children and suggests modulating roles for abiotic factors in RV epidemiology. However, community-based studies are needed to elucidate how these factors locally influence RV epidemiology. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

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