Affiliations: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine,
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka | Teaching Hospital, Kegalle, Sri Lanka
Note: [] Corresponding author: F. Noordeen, Department of Microbiology,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Tel.: +94 81 2396532;
Fax: +94 81 2389106; E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Abstract: Acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) is a leading cause of
morbidity and mortality in children worldwide including Sri Lanka. This study
was undertaken to determine the viral causes and clinical manifestations of
ARTI in pre-school children (Age ⩽ 3 years) from the Kegalle area of the
Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. Nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) from 98
children ⩽ 3 years presenting with ARTI were tested by indirect
(screening) and direct (typing) immunofluorescence assay for the presence of
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza A and B, parainfluenza viruses 1,
2 and 3 and adenoviruses. A respiratory virus was detected in 32.3% of
cases: RSV 90%, parainfluenza type 2 virus 6% and influenza virus 4%.
Detection of RSV was associated with severe cases of bronchiolitis requiring
hospitalization. These findings show the importance of viral pathogens in ARTI
in pre-school children in Sri Lanka and highlight the diversity of viral
pathogens detected in this age group.
Keywords: Viral etiology, children, acute respiratory tract infection, Sri Lanka
