Genotypes and Clinical Data of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Metapneumovirus in Brazilian Infants: A New Perspective

The aim of this study was to determine if there was a correlation between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and metapneumovirus (MPV) genotypes and clinical data of Brazilian infants hospitalized for acute lower respiratory infection. The viruses in the patients' nasopharyngeal secretions were studied using the polymerase chain reaction and phylogenetic analysis. The study assessed 144 infants; 31.9% were RSV positive and 5.6% were MPV positive. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-squared test, Fisher's test, Odds ratio, univariate logistic regression, non-conditional multivariate logistic regression and the forward - stepwise method. Multivariate analysis confirmed a significant relationship between a positive PCR test for RSV and hospitalization during the month of May and with pulse oximetry less than 90%. The phylogenetic analysis indicated the genotypes GA2, GA5, SAA1 (Group A), SAB1, SAB3 and BA (Group B) for RSV and Group B, subgroup B1, for MPV.131353

Variant isolates of human metapneumovirus subgroup B genotype 1 in Campinas, Brazil

Background: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a paramyxovirus associated with respiratory illness. The genotypes of HMPV isolates in Brazil have not been well characterized. Objectives: To investigate the presence of HMPV in clinical samples collected from pediatric patients of two university hospitals in the region of Campinas (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and to genotype them by partial sequencing of the HMPV F gene. Study design: Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from children hospitalized between April and September, 2004 because of acute respiratory infections (ARI). Results: We identified HMPV in 8 of 142 (5.6%) clinical samples. We determined through phylogenetic analysis that HMPV isolates in Campinas during the study were clustered within subgroup B genotype 1. Two of the isolates analyzed showed significant differences from previously isolated B I viruses, when compared to HMPV isolated in South Africa and,Canada, and clustered in a separate branch within this genotype. Conclusions: In 2004 in our geographic region all HMPV isolates from pediatric patients were in the B I HMPV genetic group, with two variant isolates. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.421788

Prevalence and clinical features of respiratory syncytial virus in children hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia in northern Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Childhood pneumonia and bronchiolitis is a leading cause of illness and death in young children worldwide with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) as the main viral cause. RSV has been associated with annual respiratory disease outbreaks and bacterial co-infection has also been reported. This study is the first RSV epidemiological study in young children hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Belém city, Pará (Northern Brazil).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>With the objective of determining the prevalence of RSV infection and evaluating the patients’ clinical and epidemiological features, we conducted a prospective study across eight hospitals from November 2006 to October 2007. In this study, 1,050 nasopharyngeal aspirate samples were obtained from hospitalized children up to the age of three years with CAP, and tested for RSV antigen by direct immunofluorescence assay and by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) for RSV Group identification.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>RSV infection was detected in 243 (23.1%) children. The mean age of the RSV-positive group was lower than the RSV-negative group (12.1 months vs 15.5 months, <it>p</it><0.001) whereas gender distribution was similar. The RSV-positive group showed lower means of C-reactive protein (CRP) in comparison to the RSV-negative group (15.3 vs 24.0 mg/dL, <it>p</it><0.05). Radiological findings showed that 54.2% of RSV-positive group and 50.3% of RSV-negative group had interstitial infiltrate. Bacterial infection was identified predominantly in the RSV-positive group (10% vs 4.5%, p<0.05). Rhinorrhea and nasal obstruction were predominantly observed in the RSV-positive group. A co-circulation of RSV Groups A and B was identified, with a predominance of Group B (209/227). Multivariate analysis revealed that age under 1 year (<it>p</it><0.015), CRP levels under 48 mg/dL (<it>p</it><0.001) and bacterial co-infection (<it>p</it><0.032) were independently associated with the presence of RSV and, in the analyze of symptoms, nasal obstruction were independently associated with RSV-positive group (<it>p</it><0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study highlights the relevance of RSV infection in hospitalized cases of CAP in our region; our findings warrant the conduct of further investigations which can help design strategies for controlling the disease.</p