Etiology, Seasonality, and Clinical Features of Viral Respiratory Tract Infections in Children Hospitalized With Acute Bronchiolitis: A Single-Center Study

Gökçe, Sule; Kurugöl, Zafer; Koturoglu, Güldane; Çiçek, Candan; Aslan, Asli

Various studies have shown that RSV is the most common etiologic pathogen with a rate of 50% to 80%. 18 Almost 30% to 40% of cases are related to other viruses including adenovirus, coronavirus, parainfluenza, influenza, and rhinovirus. In recent years, new human respiratory viruses like human metapneumovirus, human bocavirus, and new human coronaviruses have also been reported as possible pathogens causing AB. 19 Today, various viral diagnostic tests allow us to examine the epidemiological differences/ clinical characteristics of respiratory viruses and to provide information on their presence. Multiplex PCR has been the most commonly used method due to some significant advantages like permitting simultaneous amplification of several viruses in a single reaction and facilitating cost-effective diagnosis. 20 In this study, we evaluated via multiplex PCR technique the variety and burden of viral agents causing AB in infants under 24 months of age.