Abstract
Background: Respiratory viruses, including influenza, bocavirus and respiratory syncytial are common agents of acute asthma exacerbation in children.
Objective of the study: To compare the incidence of influenza and other respiratory viruses in ambulatory and hospitalized children with asthma exacerbation.
Patients and Methods: From November 2005 to May 2009, viral immunofluorescence and bocavirus PCR were performed on nasopharyngeal aspirates in children (2-15y) examined in an hospital emergency room for acute asthma attack during the winter seasons and hospitalised or not.
Results: Bocavirus was found in 11.6% of hospitalized and 13% of ambulatory patients with exacerbation of asthma, and respiratory syncytial virus in 13.5% and 17.7%, respectively. However, influenza A virus was detected in 2.6% of hospitalized and 14.1% (p<.001) of ambulatorytreated patients.
Conclusion: Influenza virus contributes to exacerbation of childhood asthma and is more often founded in ambulatory patients than in hospitalised, but other respiratory viruses had the same frequency in the two groups. The influenza burden in childhood asthma may be underestimated if only hospitalised patients are considered.
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Mandelcwajg, A., Moulin, F., Menager, C. et al. 860 Underestimation of Influenza Viral Infection in Childhood Asthma Exacerbations. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 431 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00860
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00860