Short report: seasonal pattern of respiratory syncytial virus in a region with a tropical climate in southeastern Brazil.

Abstract

Among acute respiratory infections (ARIs), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important pathogen, especially in infants and preschool children. This study focused on RSV epidemiology in a region of southeastern Brazil with a tropical climate. A total of 406 nasopharyngeal secretion samples were taken from children less than five years of age with ARIs. Of these, 114 (28%) were RSV-positive. These samples were found in all age groups, but showed a higher prevalence in newborns. Infection with RSV was identified in 10 of the 12 months of the study period, but the majority (88.5%) of cases occurred from late summer to mid-fall.