Etiology of acute viral respiratory infections common in Pakistan: A review

Abstract

Summary Respiratory infections, especially those of the lower respiratory tract, remain a foremost cause of mortality and morbidity of children greater than 5 years in developing countries including Pakistan. Ignoring these acute‐level infections may lead to complications. Particularly in Pakistan, respiratory infections account for 20% to 30% of all deaths of children. Even though these infections are common, insufficiency of accessible data hinders development of a comprehensive summary of the problem. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence rate in various regions of Pakistan and also to recognize the existing viral strains responsible for viral respiratory infections through published data. Respiratory viruses are detected more frequently among rural dwellers in Pakistan. Lower tract infections are found to be more lethal. The associated pathogens comprise respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), coronavirus, enterovirus/rhinovirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, and human bocavirus. RSV is more dominant and can be subtyped as RSV‐A and RSV‐B (BA‐9, BA‐10, and BA‐13). Influenza A (H1N1, H5N1, H3N2, and H1N1pdm09) and Influenza B are common among the Pakistani population. Generally, these strains are detected in a seasonal pattern with a high incidence during spring and winter time. The data presented include pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and influenza. This paper aims to emphasise the need for standard methods to record the incidence and etiology of associated pathogens in order to provide effective treatment against viral infections of the respiratory tract and to reduce death rates.

Vaccination against Paediatric Respiratory Pathogens

“…Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) remain one of the most common major public health threats, accounting for millions of episodes of severe acute lower respiratory infections that result in hospital admissions of otherwise healthy infants and young children worldwide [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. One-third of the annual deaths occurring in the world are thought to be due to infectious diseases, and respiratory tract infections are responsible for 4 million deaths worldwide each year [8].…”

Molecular typing and epidemiologic profiles of human metapneumovirus infection among children with severe acute respiratory infection in Huzhou, China

“…Chest X-Ray shows local infiltrating shadows on the pulmonary lobes or infiltration around the hilar lung and peritracheal cuff sign. It is estimated that 4–16% of acute respiratory tract infections are caused by hMPV [ 27 , 28 ], which was first identified in 2001. In 2003, Runan et al [ 12 ] reported a case of hMPV infection in China, and other cases followed [ 13 , 17 ].…”

Molecular Typing and Epidemiology Profiles of Human Metapneumovirus Infection Among Children With Severe Acute Respiratory Infection in Huzhou, China

“…Chest X-ray showed local in ltrating shadow of pulmonary lobes or in ltration around hilar lung and peritracheal cuff sign. It is estimated that 4-16% of acute respiratory tract infections are caused by hMPV [22,23]. The virus has attracted wide attention at home and abroad since it was rst identi ed in 2001.…”