Korean J Pediatr Infect Dis.  2002 Nov;9(2):193-200. 10.14776/kjpid.2002.9.2.193.

Epidemiology of Acute Viral Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Hospitalized Children in Two Different Areas of Korea

• Moon JH
• Suh KJ
• Chung EH
• Shin MY
• Lee JS
• Park YM
• Lee KS
• Ahn KM
• Lee NY
• Ma SH
• Lee SI

• KMID: 2440112
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14776/kjpid.2002.9.2.193

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was performed to investigate the epidemiology of viral acute lower respiratory tract infection(ALRI) in two different areas of Korea.
METHODS
A total of 796 patients hospitalized for ALRI aged 15 years or less from June 2000 to June 2001 in Samsung Seoul hospital(SSH) and Masan Fatima hospital(MFH) were enrolled. Viral etiologies were confirmed using nasopharyngeal aspirates. We compared etiologic agents, age distribution, clinical manifestations, and seasonal occurrence of viral ALRI between the two hospitals.
RESULTS
Virus was isolated in 208 patients(26.1%). The proportion of patients aged under 2 years in SSH was 60.2%, while those in MFH was 90.0%(P < 0.05). Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) was more prevalent in MFH, but adenovirus, influenza virus and parainfluenza virus were more prevalent in SSH(P < 0.05). Croup and bronchiolitis occurred more frequently in MFH than in SSH(P < 0.05). The most frequent viral pathogens causing bronchiolitis and croup were RSV and parainfluenza virus, respectively, in both hospitals. Adenovirus was the main cause of pneumonia in SSH, in contrast to RSV in MFH. In terms of tracheobronchitis, adenovirus was detected most frequently in SSH, whereas influenza virus-type A was mainly isolated in MFH. Similar pattern of seasonal occurrences of RSV, parainfluenza virus and influenza virus-type A was noted in both hospitals. Adenovirus was isolated sporadically throughout the study periods.
CONCLUSION
Seasonal occurrence and clinical syndromes according to viral pathogens showed similar pattern in two areas. However, distribution of offending viruses was different, although this is mainly related to the different age distribution. An annual nationwide surveillance is necessary to understand the viral epidemiology associated with respiratory illnesses in Korea.

Keyword

Virus; Respiratory tract infection; Croup; Tracheobronchitis; Bronchiolitis; Pneumonia; Children

MeSH Terms

Adenoviridae
Age Distribution
Bronchiolitis
Child
Child, Hospitalized*
Croup
Epidemiology*
Humans
Influenza, Human
Korea*
Orthomyxoviridae
Paramyxoviridae Infections
Pneumonia
Respiratory System*
Respiratory Tract Infections*
Seasons
Seoul