objective To describe the viruses involved, seasonality and coinfection in hospitalised children with suspected bronchiolitis. methods Over the period 1/07/2007 to 31/12/2008, all children hospitalised for bronchiolitis in the paediatric ward were prospectively included, and had respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) screenings. We retrospectively tested all samples for RSVA, RSVB, rhinovirus (RV), human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza 1, 2, 3, 4, influenza A and influenza B. results 198 children were tested, and 23% were negative for all viruses. RSVA was predominant in 2008 (64% of all viruses) and RSVB in 2007 (66% of all viruses). RV was frequent during both seasons (24% of all viruses). Flu was not found during the study period. Virus distribution was similar regardless of season or age, and identical to typical patterns in temperate countries. Coinfections were less frequent than in temperate regions because respiratory virus seasons seem to be better separated. The bronchiolitis season started in August and finished in December with a peak in October. conclusion The specific seasonality of bronchiolitis infection requires palivizumab prophylaxis starting in early July for high-risk infants. keywords bronchiolitis, palivizumab, respiratory syncytial virus infections, West Indies, tropical climate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 15 (life on land)
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