Identification of Viruses in a Study of Acute Respiratory lhtct Infection in Children from Uruguay

Abstract

For the purpose of identifying viral agents associated with acute respiratory tract infections (ARI) in children <5 years old, a longitudinal community study was undertaken in Montevideo, Uruguay, from May 1985 to December 1987. This report includes results obtained by cell culture and immunofluorescence techniques for detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenzaA and Bviruses, parainfluenza 1and 3viruses, and adenovirus. lWo populations were studied: children visited at home by pediatricians (group 1) and children with an ARI episode who attended an outpatient clinic (group 2). Nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained at the time of an ARI episode: 858 from group 1 and 488 from group 2. Viruses were identified in 15.3010 of group 1 specimens and in 17.6070 of group 2 specimens. RSV was the most frequently recovered agent, accounting for 67.9070 and 58.1%, respectively, of all viruses detected. The sensitivity and specificity of RSV isolation by cell culture are compared with detection by indirect immunofluorescence.