Detection and Analysis of Respiratory Pathogens in Hospitalized Children with Acute Respiratory Tract Infections by a Multiplex-PCR Assay Based on the Genetic Analyzer Platform

Abstract

Background: Despite the considerable incidence of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) among children in Henan province, detailed epidemiological information is limited. Objectives: Following a retrospective design, the current study aimed to analyze the epidemiological trends of respiratory pathogens in children hospitalized at Henan Children’s Hospital. Methods: A total of 11306 children (age range, 4 days to 15 years) diagnosed with ARTI admitted to Henan Children’s Hospital from March 1, 2019, to February 29, 2020, were enrolled. Nasopharyngeal swabs, alveolar lavage fluid, or sputum samples were analyzed for the presence of 12 pathogens via a multiplex-PCR assay based on the Genetic Analyzer platform. Data of 11306 samples were eligible for analysis. Results: The total positive rate was 78.1% (8831/11306). Of 8831 positive samples, 7017 (79.5%, 7017/8831) had a single pathogen and 1814 (20.5%, 1814/11306) had multiple pathogens. Human rhinovirus was the most common pathogen (25.4%, 2874/11306), followed by mycoplasma (18.1%, 2050/11306) and human respiratory syncytial virus (15.8%, 1783/11306). There was no significant difference concerning the positive rate of respiratory pathogens between boys and girls (χ2 = 0.286, P = 0.593). Children were more likely to be infected in autumn and winter than in spring and summer (9722 vs. 1584, respectively). Conclusions: Human rhinovirus and mycoplasma were the most commonly detected pathogens. The positive rate of chlamydia was independent of the season, while positive rates of other pathogens were season-related. The positive rate of influenza A (H1N1) was independent of age, while for other pathogens, it was age-dependent. This study demonstrated species-level information on the pathogens, which can improve the prevention and treatment of hospitalized children with ARTI.