Background: Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are a major public health concern. This study aims to investigate the profiles and epidemiological characteristics of acute RTIs and respiratory pathogens in Palestinian hospitalized patients. Methods: Clinical samples from hospitalized patients with symptoms of acute RTIs admitted between January 2011 and December 2016 are referred to Palestinian Central Public Health Laboratory (PHCL) to identify the causative pathogen. Patients’ demographic information and the results of the molecular identification were retrieved from the electronic database at the PHCL. The results of the detections were analyzed to explore the distribution of pathogens resulting in hospitalization among patients with RTIs across age, gender, region, year and season. Results: A total of 15413 patients with acute RTIs were hospitalized during the study period. The causal agent was identified only in 28.7% of the patients. Overall, influenza viruses were the most common cause of RTIs among hospitalized Palestinian patients in the West Bank. The elderly population (≥60 years old) had the highest rates. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis ) followed influenza, respectively. Children showed the highest hospitalization rates for these two infections along with adenovirus, enterovirus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Outbreaks of RTIs occurred mainly during winter (between December and March). Conclusions: Influenza viruses are the major cause acute RTIs among hospitalized patients in the West Bank. Children and elderlies have the highest risk for RTIs. The reoccurrence of B. pertussis in spite of vaccination is alarming and requires further investigation.

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are a major public health concern. This study aims to investigate the profiles and epidemiological characteristics of acute RTIs and respiratory pathogens in Palestinian hospitalized patients. Clinical samples from hospitalized patients with symptoms of acute RTIs admitted between January 2011 and December 2016 were referred to the Palestinian Central Public Health Laboratory (PHCL) to identify the causative pathogen. Patients’ demographic information and the results of the molecular identification were retrieved from the electronic database at the PHCL. A total of 15413 patients with acute RTIs were hospitalized during the study period. The causal agent was identified only in 28.7% of the patients. Overall, influenza viruses were the most common cause of RTIs among hospitalized Palestinian patients in the West Bank. Children and elderlies were the most affected with RTIs. The elderly population (≥60 years old) had the highest rates. After influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis) were the most common causes of acute RTIs among hospitalized Palestinian patients. Children showed the highest hospitalization rates for RSV, B. pertussis, adenovirus, enterovirus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. On the other hand, elderlies had the highest rates of influenza. Outbreaks of RTIs occurred mainly during winter (between December and March). The resurgence of B. pertussis in spite of vaccination is alarming and requires further investigation.