Retrospective evaluation of viruses that caused upper respiratory tract infection in childhood

Respiratory tract infections are common in the chilhood, which cause pneumonia and hospitalization in some patients. In this study, we aimed to determine the importance of viruses that cause upper respiratory tract infections in childhood, and to reveal their seasonal, annual and pandemic-related course. The data of patients who had respiratory tract infection findings in Bursa Uludağ University Health Center Pediatrics clinics between October 2018 and September 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Adenovirus, bocavirus, coronaviruses (CoV 229E, HKU1, NL63, OC43), influenza (A, A H1, H1N1, B), parainfluenza (1.2 3,4) respiratory respiratory syncytial virus (RSV A/B), rhino/enterovirus (RV/EV), metapneumovirus were investigated by multiplex PCR. In this study, 889 viral agents were detected from 1269 patients. One virus was detected in 579 samples. Most common viruses were RV/EV, RSV A/B, coronaviruses, influenza, and parainfluenza viruses, respectively. While RSV was common under 1 year, influenza viruses were common above 1 year of age. RV/EV was the most common virus in all ages. Test requests were highest in January. During the pandemic, number of requests and positivity rate decreased. While significant decrease was detected in coronavirus, influenza, parainfluenza and RSV during the pandemic period, we observed that the frequency of RV/EV increased. The frequency of respiratory viral infections, varies according to months and seasons, and is most common in winter. During the pandemic, the frequency of respiratory tract viruses other than RV/EV decreased. Rapid diagnostic kits are needed for diagnosis and treatment of viral respiratory tract infections. Keywords: Respiratory tract infections, viruses, multiplex PCR, pediatrics