Frequency and Distribution of Viruses Causing Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection Among Under-Five Children in Dhaka City

Abstract

Acute lower respiratory tract infection is a common disease among the under five children. The purpose of the present study was to see the frequency and distribution of viruses causing acute lower respiratory tract infection among under-five children. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Virology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka from July 2002 to June 2003 for a period of one year. The children with the age group of below five (5) years presented with the clinical manifestations of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) who were visited or were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka were selected as the study population. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected. Viruses were detected by cell line culture and direct immunofluorescence method. The study was carried out among 100 children aged from newborn to 60 months with acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI). The highest rate (47.6%) of isolation was obtained among children between 0 to 5 months of age followed by 6 to 12 months of age group (23.80%). There was a significant reduction in the number of cases in older children in 25 to 60 months of age group. Out of 57 patients, 12 were positive for respiratory viruses in the case of a male, while 43 of specimens from a female, 9 were positive. The most common virus isolated from the under-five children was a respiratory syncytial virus which was 20(95.2%). Adenovirus was isolated in only 1(4.8%) case. No other viruses were found in this study. In conclusion, the most common virus isolated from the under-five children is respiratory syncytial virus. Adenovirus is also found.