Seasonal variation in respiratory syncytial virus chest infection in the tropics.

TLDR: If there was a seasonal variation in Malaysia in the incidence of RSV infection in young children admitted with LRTI, and possible associations with local meteorological parameters, is determined.

Abstract: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most important cause of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in young children We determined if there was a seasonal variation in Malaysia in the incidence of RSV infection in young children admitted with LRTI, and possible associations of RSV infection with local meteorological parameters A total of 5,691 children, aged less than 24 months and hospitalized with LRTI (ie, bronchiolitis and pneumonia) between 1982-1997, were included in this study Nasopharyngeal samples were collected and examined for RSV by immunofluorescence, viral culture, or both Seasonal variations were determined by analyzing the monthly RSV-positive isolation rate via time series analysis Possible correlations with local meteorological parameters were also evaluatedRSV was isolated in 1,047 (184%) children Seasonal variations in RSV infection rate were evident and peaked during the months of November, December, and January (test statistics [T] = 537, P < 0001) This seasonal variation was evident for both bronchiolitis and pneumonia categories (T = 428 and 569, respectively, P < 0001) The rate of RSV infection appeared to correlate with the monthly number of rain days (r = 026, P < 001), and inversely with the monthly mean temperature (r = -038, P < 0001) In the tropics, seasonal variations in the incidence of RSV infection are evident, with an annual peak in November, December, and January This information provides a guide for healthcare provisions and implementation of RSV prevention