Detection of influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus during asthma attacks in children older than 2 years old

Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2003 Nov-Dec;31(6):311-7. doi: 10.1016/s0301-0546(03)79204-0.

Abstract

Background: Viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) have been correlated with the onset of asthma attacks in children and viral identification was reported in 14-49 % of nasal samples. The aim of the present study was to detect influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in older children during acute asthma attacks.

Methods: A total of 104 children (2-14 years) were included in four groups: group I: asthmatics with acute attack and URTI; group II: asthmatics without URTI (group I children, 30 days later); group III: non-asthmatics with URTI; group IV: non-asthmatic, asymptomatic children. A diagnosis of URTI was considered when (3 symptoms (cough and/or sneeze, nasal obstruction, hypertrophy of turbinates, pain and/or retropharynx hyperemia, headache and fever) in asthmatics and at least 2 symptoms in non-asthmatics were present, starting within 7 days. Samples of nasal mucosa cells (n = 123) were collected, and culture and indirect immunofluorescence were carried out to identify respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, influenza A and B, parainfluenza 1,2 and 3 and rhinovirus.

Results: Viral identification rates were higher in the asthmatic groups: 13.9 % in group I, 11.1 % in group II; 2.8 % in group III and 0 in group IV. The following viruses were identified: RSV 2/36, rhinovirus 1/36, adenovirus 1/36 and parainfluenzae 1/36 in group I; adenovirus 2/18 in group II; RSV 1/36 in group III.

Conclusions: The rate of viral identification was higher in asthmatic children, whether symptomatic or not, suggesting a possible susceptibility to viral infections. Virus could also be a triggering factor in attacks, although it is not the most preponderant in older children.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adenovirus Infections, Human / epidemiology
  • Adenoviruses, Human / isolation & purification
  • Adolescent
  • Asthma / epidemiology*
  • Asthma / virology
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity, Immediate / epidemiology
  • Influenza A virus / isolation & purification
  • Influenza B virus / isolation & purification
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human / isolation & purification
  • Parainfluenza Virus 2, Human / isolation & purification
  • Parainfluenza Virus 3, Human / isolation & purification
  • Paramyxoviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Paramyxoviridae Infections / virology
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / epidemiology
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / epidemiology
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / isolation & purification
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / virology
  • Seasons
  • Virus Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Virus Diseases / virology