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Title: | Respiratory viruses in children hospitalized for acute lower respiratory tract infection in Ghana |
Authors: | Kwofie, Theophilus B. Anane, Yaw A. Nkrumah, Bernard Annan, Augustina Nguah, Samuel B. et. al |
Keywords: | Respiratory Viruses Hospitalized children Real-Time PCR |
Issue Date: | Dec-2012 |
Publisher: | BioMed Central Ltd. |
Citation: | BioMed Central Ltd. Kwofie et al. Respiratory viruses in children hospitalized for acute lower respiratory tract infection in Ghana. Virology Journal 2012, 9:78 |
Abstract: | Background: Acute respiratory tract infections are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among
young children in developing countries. Information on the viral aetiology of acute respiratory infections in
developing countries is very limited. The study was done to identify viruses associated with acute lower respiratory
tract infection among children less than 5 years.
Method: Nasopharyngeal samples and blood cultures were collected from children less than 5 years who have
been hospitalized for acute lower respiratory tract infection. Viruses and bacteria were identified using Reverse
Transcriptase Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction and conventional biochemical techniques.
Results: Out of 128 patients recruited, 33(25.88%%, 95%CI: 18.5% to 34.2%) were positive for one or more viruses.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) was detected in 18(14.1%, 95%CI: 8.5% to 21.3%) patients followed by
Adenoviruses (AdV) in 13(10.2%, 95%CI: 5.5% to 16.7%), Parainfluenza (PIV type: 1, 2, 3) in 4(3.1%, 95%CI: 0.9% to
7.8%) and influenza B viruses in 1(0.8%, 95%CI: 0.0 to 4.3). Concomitant viral and bacterial co-infection occurred in
two patients. There were no detectable significant differences in the clinical signs, symptoms and severity for the
various pathogens isolated. A total of 61.1% (22/36) of positive viruses were detected during the rainy season and
Respiratory Syncytial Virus was the most predominant.
Conclusion: The study has demonstrated an important burden of respiratory viruses as major causes of childhood
acute respiratory infection in a tertiary health institution in Ghana. The data addresses a need for more studies on
viral associated respiratory tract infection. |
Description: | An article published by BioMed Central Ltd. |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/12516 |
Appears in Collections: | College of Science
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