Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical ()

Viral etiology of acute respiratory infections in children in Southern Iran

  • Mehrdad Halaji,
  • Tayebeh Hashempour,
  • Javad Moayedi,
  • Gholam Reza Pouladfar,
  • Behzad Khansarinejad,
  • Reza Khashei,
  • Afagh Moattari,
  • Zahra Musavi,
  • Farzaneh Ghassabi,
  • Neda Pirbonyeh

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0249-2018
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 52

Abstract

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Abstract INTRODUCTION: Prevalence of influenza A virus (Flu-A), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was assessed in children with acute respiratory infections (ARIs). METHODS: Nasopharyngeal aspirates and throat swabs were subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect RSV and Flu-A and to conventional PCR to detect hMPV. RESULTS: Of the 156 children assessed, 93 (59.6%) carried at least one virus, with 35.9% positive for RSV, 14.1% for hMPV, and 9.6% for Flu-A. The prevalence of co-infections was 2.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The high detection rate may reflect increased sensitivity of real-time PCR compared to traditional PCR and viral culture.

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