Paramyxoviruses respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and human metapneumovirus infection in pediatric hospitalized patients and climate correlation in a subtropical region of southern China: a 7-year survey

Wen-Kuan Liu,Wei-Ping Tan,Rong Zhou,Duo Xu,Qian Liu,De-Hui Chen,Shu-Jun Gu,Shu-Yan Qiu,Li Zhang

doi:10.1007/s10096-019-03693-x

Abstract

To investigate the features of paramyxovirus respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), and human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection and determine the effect of meteorological conditions in Guangzhou, a subtropical region of southern China. We collected 11,398 respiratory samples from hospitalized pediatric patients with acute respiratory illness between July 2009 and June 2016 in Guangzhou. The samples were tested simultaneously for 18 respiratory pathogens using real-time PCR. Local meteorological data were also collected for correlation analysis. Of 11,398 patients tested, 5606 (49.2%) patients tested positive for one or more pathogens; RSV, PIV, and HMPV were the first, sixth, and ninth most frequently detected pathogens, in 1690 (14.8%), 502 (4.4%), and 321 (2.8%) patients, respectively. A total 17.9% (4605/5606) of patients with positive results had coinfection with other pathogens. Significant differences were found in the prevalence of RSV, PIV, and HMPV among all age groups (p < 0.001). RSV and HMPV had similar seasonal patterns, with two prevalence peaks every year. PIV appeared alternatively with RSV and HMPV. Multiple linear regression models were established for RSV, PIV, and HMPV prevalence and meteorological factors (p < 0.05). RSV and PIV incidence was negatively correlated with monthly mean relative humidity; RSV and HMPV incidence was negatively correlated with sunshine duration; PIV incidence was positively correlated with mean temperature. We described the features of paramyxovirus infection in a subtropical region of China and highlighted the correlation with meteorological factors. These findings will assist public health authorities and clinicians in improving strategies for controlling paramyxovirus infection.

Highlights

Materials and methodsRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), and human metapneumovirus (HMPV) are enveloped, nonsegmented, negative-sense, singlestranded RNA viruses belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and PIV incidence was negatively correlated with monthly mean relative humidity; RSV and HMPV incidence was negatively correlated with sunshine duration; PIV incidence was positively correlated with mean temperature
Over a 7-year period, a total of 11,398 patients were enrolled in the study and screened for RSV, PIV, HMPV, and 12 respiratory pathogens (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), and human metapneumovirus (HMPV) are enveloped, nonsegmented, negative-sense, singlestranded RNA viruses belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family. These viruses are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally, especially among children in developing countries [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. RSV is the most important pathogenic infection of childhood worldwide, causing a variety of manifestations from mild upper respiratory tract illnesses or otitis media to severe and potentially lifethreatening lower respiratory tract illnesses [6, 8,9,10,11]. PIV4 infection has low prevalence [13]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion