Pathogens Causing Respiratory Tract Infections in Children Less Than 5 Years of Age in Senegal

Knobbe, Rebecca B; Diallo, Abdallah; Fall, Amary; Gueye, Aida D; Dieng, Assane; van Immerzeel, Tabitha D; Ba, Abou; Diop, Amadou; Diop, Abdoulaye; Niang, Mbayame; Boye, Cheikh SB

Numerous studies in sub-Saharan Africa have been conducted studying the prevalence of viruses in children with an ARTI. Equal total amounts of viruses and a similar prevalence of RSV and influenza viruses were detected when comparing with our results, but these studies, including some recent Senegalese studies, found significantly higher percentages of adenovirus, enterovirus, and rhinovirus. 14, 15, 35, 36 Results from case-control studies conducted in low-and middle-income countries show a similar prevalence of all viruses in healthy children, except that the average prevalence of rhinovirus in those studies is approximately 30%, whereas we found rhinovirus in 7.4% of controls. 19, [21] [22] [23] [24] The most obvious possible reason for the differences in virus prevalence is our short study period, given that virus prevalence is highly seasonal. 37 This study did not find an association between different pathogens and alarm signs (tachypnoea, tachycardia, hypoxemia, or an elevated CRP). Concordant to our findings, no association was found between alarming signs and specific pathogens in previous research. 38 Both viral and bacterial infections can cause either mild or severe infections in children.