Comparison of clinical features between respiratory syncytial virus and human rhinovirus lower respiratory tract infection in infants between 2013-2015 in Suzhou

Abstract

Objective To analyze the clinical features of infants infected by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or human rhinovirus (HRV) in lower respiratory tract in Suzhou area based on the month age and the month of the year. Methods From January 2013 to December 2015, 2 206 nasopharyngeal aspirates specimens were collected from the infants with lower respiratory tract infection. Direct immunofluorescence assay was performed to test RSV.Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) method was used to test HRV.The medical history was collected and pulmonary function tests were performed in some infants who were infected with RSV and HRV. Results In 2 206 cases, total RSV positive rate was 19.90%(439/2 206 cases) and simple RSV infection positive was detected in 399 cases. Total HRV positive rate was 14.14%(312/2 206 cases), in which simple HRV infection positive was detected in 250 cases and the detection rate of RSV was significantly higher than that of HRV(χ2=25.88, P 1-2 month, >2-3 month and >3-4 months respectively.Up to the age of 4 months old, the detection rate decreased gradually, and with the increase of age and the detection rate in >7-8 month group was only 10.96%(16/146 cases). The detection rate of HRV was 0(0/12)and 9.40%(44/468 cases) in the age group of 28 d-1 month, >1-2 month, respectively. After 2 months age old, the detection rate fluctuation ranged from 13.22% to 16.67%.The incidence rate of severe RSV infection was 12.30%(54/439 cases) and the incidence rate of severe HRV infection was 5.13%(16/312 cases). Increased respiratory rate was more common in patients with severe RSV infection while severe HRV infection in infants were accompanied by multiple lobar involvement.After RSV infection, the incidence rate of pulmonary function damage was 89.03%(276/310 cases). After HRV infection, 89.27%(183/205 cases)of the infants suffered from pulmonary function damage. Both RSV and HRV infection might cause pulmonary function damage. Conclusions RSV and HRV are the major pathogens in infants of Suzhou areas. The incidence of RSV-induced wheezing is significantly higher than that of HRV. RSV is detected positive mainly in winter and early spring and the infants within 4-month old are susceptible population.HRV is detected positive mainly in June, July and September and the infants older than 2 months are susceptible population. The incidence of severe RSV infection is significantly higher than that of HRV. Severe RSV infection may cause increased respiratory rate and severe HRV infection mainly cause multiple lobar involvement. RSV and HRV infection may cause pulmonary function damage. Key words: Infants; Respiratory syncytial virus; Human rhinovirus