A molecular epidemiological study of respiratory viruses detected in Japanese children with acute wheezing illness
2011

Study of Respiratory Viruses in Japanese Children with Wheezing

Sample size: 115 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Fujitsuka Asako, Tsukagoshi Hiroyuki, Arakawa Mika, Goto-Sugai Kazuko, Ryo Akihide, Okayama Yoshimichi, Mizuta Katsumi, Nishina Atsuyoshi, Yoshizumi Masakazu, Kaburagi Yoichi, Noda Masahiro, Tashiro Masato, Okabe Nobuhiko, Mori Masaaki, Yokota Shumpei, Kimura Hirokazu

Primary Institution: National Hospital Organization Yokohama Medical Center

Hypothesis

What is the molecular epidemiology of respiratory viruses in Japanese children with acute wheezing illness?

Conclusion

The study found that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human rhinovirus (HRV) are major contributors to wheezing in Japanese children.

Supporting Evidence

  • Viruses were detected in 99 out of 115 patients.
  • RSV was found in 40.9% of patients, while HRV was found in 31.3%.
  • Both RSV and HRV were detected in 12.2% of patients.
  • RSV was dominant in patients without a history of wheezing.
  • HRV was dominant in patients with a history of wheezing.

Takeaway

Doctors studied kids with wheezing to see which viruses were making them sick, and they found that two main viruses, RSV and HRV, were often the cause.

Methodology

PCR technology was used to detect various respiratory viruses from nasopharyngeal swabs of children.

Limitations

The study did not examine the prevalence of these viruses in healthy children.

Participant Demographics

115 Japanese children, with 39 having a history of wheezing.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2334-11-168

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