| Title | [Etiology of acute viral respiratory tract infections in children from Gran Canaria, the Canary Islands (Spain)]. | ||
| Author | Artiles-Campelo, Fernando; Perez-Gonzalez, Maria del Carmen; Caballero-Hidalgo, Araceli; Pena-Lopez, Maria J | ||
| Journal | Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin | Publication Year/Month | 2006-Nov |
| PMID | 17125674 | PMCID | PMC7130248 |
| Affiliation | 1.Servicio de Microbiologia, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrin, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Espana. fernandoartiles@canariastelecom.com. | ||
OBJECTIVE: Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) of viral origin are a frequent cause of pediatric consultations and hospital admissions. The aim of this study was to investigate the etiology of these infections in Gran Canaria, the Canary Islands, (Spain). METHODS: From May 2002 through May 2005, 1957 nasopharyngeal washings were collected from 1729 children presenting with ARTI to the Pediatric Emergency Unit. A rapid antigen detection method was performed in every sample to identify respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). An immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and cell culture (CC) was used in RSV-negative samples. RESULTS: Median age was 2 months (range, 0.03-119). A viral agent was identified in 1032 children (59.7%). RSV was detected in 769 children (74.5%). Other viruses identified, in order of frequency, were parainfluenza viruses, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, influenza viruses, enteroviruses, and coronaviruses. Statistical differences were found between age and the type of virus detected: Adenoviruses caused respiratory infections in older children (median age: 6 months; range: 1-74). There were 6 mixed infections. Sensitivity of IFA as compared to CC was 55.8%, and specificity was 99.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory viruses are responsible for a large number of ARTI cases in children from Gran Canaria, RSV being the major cause. Viral identification is determinant for managing these patients and making a proper use of antibacterial and antiviral drugs.