A seroepidemiological study of respiratory syncytial virus infection in the Littoral Region of Cameroon

Abstract

BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for about 300 000 deaths in young children per year, and 99% of these occur in low-income countries. This study aimed to assess the burden of RSV infection among children less than two years with acute respiratory infections (ARI) in the littoral region of Cameroon. MethodsWe carried out a cross-sectional study in seven health facilities in the littoral region of Cameroon. Venous blood was collected using serum separation tubes from eligible children who visited these healthcare facilities with acute respiratory infections. ELISA determined the seroprevalence of anti-IgM RSV. Factors associated with RSV infection were ascertained using logistic regression. ResultsOut of 100 study participants, the overall RSV-associated ARI seroprevalence was 33% (95%CI:23.6-42.3). Factors significantly associated with RSV acquisition were age below six months (p=0.000) and mixed feeding (p=0.015). ConclusionsThe RSV burden is high among children less than two years with ARI in the littoral region of Cameroon. There is a need for an effective public health RSV surveillance system with standard laboratory techniques and equipment to better understand the RSV disease age-specific incidence, seasonality, and RSV burden among patients in the communities in Cameroon.