Abstract：OBJECTIVE: To investigate the viral pathogens of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in hospitalized children from Suzhou of China. METHODS: The nasopharyngeal aspirate samples were obtained from 1 668 hospitalized children with ARI. Common respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus A and B, parainfluenza viruses 1, 2 and 3 and adenovirus, were detected using direct immunofluorescence. Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) gene fragments were detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Viral agents were identified in 597 cases (35.8%). RSV was the most frequent (17.6%). RSV infection is more common in children less than 1 year old. A highest detection rate of RSV was found during winter and spring. hMPV was detected in 10.6% of the cases, with a peak detection rate between March and May. Single viral infection was found in 561 cases (33.6%) and mixed viral infection in 36 cases (including 27 cases at age of less than 1 year). RSV and hMPV co-infection was common (n=22). CONCLUSIONS: RSV is common pathogen of ARI in children from Suzhou. RSV viral activity peaks during winter and spring. The children at age of less than 1 year are susceptible to RSV. hMPV is also an important pathogen of ARI, with a peak detection rate between March and May. Mixed viral infection is common in children less than 1 year old.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (7):529-531］
WAN Feng-Guo,ZHANG Xue-Lan,SHAO Xue-Jun et al. Viral pathogens of acute respiratory infection in hospitalized children from Suzhou[J]. CJCP, 2009, 11(07): 529-531.
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