Epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus in children ≤2 years of age hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections in the Russian Federation: a prospective, multicenter study

Abstract

BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of severe lower respiratory tract infections among infants and young children, and is responsible for an estimated four million deaths per year globally. A monthly injection of palivizumab has been used for prophylaxis of serious RSV infections among high-risk children in 71 countries since 1998 and approval for use in the Russian Federation was obtained in February 2010. A recommendation for RSV prophylaxis in the Russian Federation would require knowledge of the prevalence and seasonality of RSV in that country.MethodsIn a prospective, multicenter, epidemiological study of the prevalence, seasonality, and peak occurrence of RSV infection, children aged ≤2 years hospitalized for lower respiratory tract infections in three regions of the Russian Federation, from September 2008 through April 2009, were screened and tested for RSV using rapid immunochromatography of nasopharyngeal lavage. For subjects who were tested positive, hospitalization data were collected.ResultsOf 519 children aged ≤2 years enrolled from September 11, 2008 through April 26, 2009, 197 tested positive for RSV (38.0%, 95% CI: 33.8, 42.3). The onset of the 2008–2009 RSV season in the Russian Federation occurred in late October 2008, similar to what is observed in other northern temperate zones. Peak activity occurred in early April 2009, when 62% of children enrolled tested positive for RSV.ConclusionThe prevalence of serious RSV infections in the Russian Federation is similar to the prevalence previously identified in other temperate zones of the northern hemisphere. The seasonality of disease shifted towards early spring, with peak activity later in the season, within a range reported in other countries. These data provide further evidence of serious RSV infection in children in the Russian Federation, as well as guidance for timing of seasonal RSV prophylaxis, especially among individuals at high risk for serious RSV infection.

A prospective, open-label, non-comparative study of palivizumab prophylaxis in children at high risk of serious respiratory syncytial virus disease in the Russian Federation

“…RSV infection is prevalent in the Russian Federation. In a sample of children aged ≤2 years who were hospitalized for LRTI during the RSV season, 38% tested positive for RSV [2]. The prevalence of RSV varied by geographic region and was highest in Moscow (41.7%).…”

“…The prevalence of RSV varied by geographic region and was highest in Moscow (41.7%). Activity peaked in April 2009, when RSV was detected in 62% of children hospitalized for LRTI [2]. …”

Defining the Risk and Associated Morbidity and Mortality of Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Among Infants with Chronic Lung Disease

“…Studies have demonstrated that hospitalization due to RSV infection among infants with CLD/BPD not only leads to an increased risk of morbidity but also increased healthcare resource utilization, including admission to NICU, oxygen supplementation, and mechanical ventilation [8, 30, 38, 41, 51, 54–59]. The typical length of stay in hospital for RSV infection for infants with CLD/BPD is 4–11 days compared to 2–5 days in premature or term infants without CLD/BPD (Table 4) [38, 41, 51, 57, 58].…”

Comparison of risk factors between preterm and term infants hospitalized for severe respiratory syncytial virus in the Russian Federation

“…In 2010, Tatochenko et al reported on the epidemiology of RSV in children up to two years of age hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infection in the Russian Federation 19. The prevalence of RSV in this population and region had not been surveyed for over ten years,20 and Tatochenko et al were the first to characterize the associated risk factors for RSV in the Russian Federation 19.…”

“…The prevalence of RSV in this population and region had not been surveyed for over ten years,20 and Tatochenko et al were the first to characterize the associated risk factors for RSV in the Russian Federation 19. By secondary analysis of the data collected in the original study, this paper seeks to describe differences in both risk factors and protective factors for severe RSV infection between preterm and term infants hospitalized for RSV lower respiratory tract infection in the Russian Federation during the 2008–2009 RSV season.…”