Detection and molecular epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus type A and B strains in childhood respiratory infections in Hungary

Abstract

Abstract The human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is one of the major causes of respiratory infection of infants and children worldwide. The molecular epidemiology of hRSV is unknown in Hungary. Aims Our aims were the molecular detection and genetic analysis of hRSV from childhood respiratory infections in Hungary. Materials and methods Nasopharyngeal aspirates collected from children under the age of 10 years with acute respiratory infections were provided by Pediatric Department of the Hospital for Chest Diseases in Mosdós. Samples were taken from 15 October to 15May in seasons 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. The clinical and epidemiological data were collected prospectively. The amplification of the surface fusion glycoprotein (F) and the attachment glycoprotein (G) genes of viral RNA was made by RTPCR method. PCR-products were sequenced and analyzed by phylogenetic analysis. Results Nasopharyngeal aspirates of 104 children were examined out of which 23 (22.1%) samples — 16 males (69.6%) and 7 females (30.4%) — (first season: 1/49, 2%; second season: 22/55, 40%) contained hRSV. The hRSV infections were taking place from December to March. The average age was 2.1 years (1 month to 8 years). The leading symptoms were dropping nose, fever, cough and wheezing. 39.1% of the hRSV infected children had underlying diseases. Based upon the F region, 22 (96%) viruses genetically belonged to the type A and 1 (4%) was classified as type B hRSV. Based upon the G region out of the 11 type A viruses 8 (72.7%) belonged to group GA5 and 3 (27.3%) to group GA2. Viral nucleotide sequence was identical in several cases. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report on molecular detection and genetic analysis of the two types (A and B) of hRSV of children under the age of 10 with respiratory infections in Hungary. In winter and spring hRSV is an important cause of childhood respiratory infections particularly in infants, which often require hospitalization.