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Molecular epidemiology of influenza, RSV, and other respiratory infections among children in Qatar: A six years report (2012-2017).

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Studies on the etiology of respiratory infections among children in Qatar and surrounding countries are limited. OBJECTIVES:To describe the prevalence and seasonality of RSV, influenza, and other respiratory pathogens among children in Qatar. METHODS:We retrospectively collected and analyzed data of 33,404 children (<15 years) presented with influenza-like illness from 2012 to 2017. RESULTS:At least one respiratory pathogen was detected in 26,138 (78%) of patients. Together, human rhinoviruses (HRV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza viruses comprised nearly two-thirds of all cases, affecting 24%, 19.7%, and 18.5%, respectively. A prevalence of 5-10% was recorded for adenovirus, parainfluenza viruses (PIVs), human bocavirus (HboV), and human coronaviruses (HCoVs). Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), enteroviruses, M. pneumonia, and parechovirus had prevalences below 5%. While RSV, influenza, and HMPV exhibited strong seasonal activity in the winter, HRV was active during low RSV and influenza circulation. The burden of RSV exceeds that of influenza among young age groups, whereas influenza correlated positively with age. Further, HRV, adenovirus, influenza, and RSV infection rates varied significantly between male and females. CONCLUSION:This comprehensive multi-year study provides insights into the etiology of ILI among children in Qatar, which represents the Gulf region. Our results reinforce the significance of active surveillance of respiratory pathogens to improve infection prevention and control strategies, particularly among children.

SUBMITTER: Al-Romaihi HE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7194828 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Molecular epidemiology of influenza, RSV, and other respiratory infections among children in Qatar: A six years report (2012-2017).

Al-Romaihi Hamad E HE Smatti Maria K MK Al-Khatib Hebah A HA Coyle Peter V PV Ganesan Nandakumar N Nadeem Shazia S Farag Elmoubasher A EA Al Thani Asmaa A AA Al Khal Abdullatif A Al Ansari Khalid M KM Al Maslamani Muna A MA Yassine Hadi M HM

International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases 20200409

<h4>Background</h4>Studies on the etiology of respiratory infections among children in Qatar and surrounding countries are limited.<h4>Objectives</h4>To describe the prevalence and seasonality of RSV, influenza, and other respiratory pathogens among children in Qatar.<h4>Methods</h4>We retrospectively collected and analyzed data of 33,404 children (<15 years) presented with influenza-like illness from 2012 to 2017.<h4>Results</h4>At least one respiratory pathogen was detected in 26,138 (78%) of ...[more]

PMID: 32278934

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Project description:Background: Little is known about the etiology of meningitis in the MENA region, including Qatar. Viral agents are considered the major cause for meningitis worldwide. Here, we present primary data about the etiology and clinical and demographic characteristics of viral meningitis (VM) in Qatar between 2015 and 2018. Methods: We retrospectively collected data from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), which provides about 80% of healthcare services in Qatar. Data were collected for the period between 2015 and 2018. During this time period, 6,705 specimens were collected from patients with suspected meningitis attending HMC and primary healthcare centers. These specimens were tested for a panel of viruses using the "FTD Viral meningitis" multiplex real-time PCR kit that detects Adenovirus (ADV), Human herpesvirus 1&2 (HSV1 and HSV2), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Enteroviruses (EV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Varicella zoster virus (VZV), and Parechovirus (PV). Results: Only 10.9% (732/6,705) of all suspected meningitis cases were caused by viral agents. 60.9% of the reported cases were males, compared to 39.1% in females. Most of the infections (73.9%) were reported in children younger than 10 years of age. EV were identified as the main causative agent (68.7%), followed by EBV (7.5%) and ADV (6.8%). Other viral agents including VZV, PV, HSV-1, and HSV-2 were also detected with a lower frequency. Confirmed VM were more prevalent among Qatari subjects compared to other nationalities. We observed no specific seasonality of viral agents, but a slight rise was recorded during the spring seasons (March to June). Fever (59.4%, 435/732) and acute central nervous system (CNS) infection (15.6%, 114/732) were initial symptoms of most cases. Conclusion: This is the first report about the molecular epidemiology of VM in Qatar. In line with the international records, our data showed that EV is responsible for 68.7% of Qatar's VM cases. Further studies are needed to genotype and serotype the identified viruses.

Dataset Information

Molecular epidemiology of influenza, RSV, and other respiratory infections among children in Qatar: A six years report (2012-2017).

Publications

Molecular epidemiology of influenza, RSV, and other respiratory infections among children in Qatar: A six years report (2012-2017).

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