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

Abstract

Introduction: While acute respiratory tract infections are the main cause of paediatric mortality and morbidity worldwide, pathogen patterns shift due to factors such as hygiene, vaccinations, and antibiotic resistance. Knowledge about current cause of respiratory infections is lacking, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to identity the various respiratory pathogens causing acute respiratory tract infections in children below 5 years of age visiting a sub-urban primary care clinic in Senegal. Methods: A case-control study was performed in September and October 2018. Oropharyngeal swabs were collected from cases; infants with fever and respiratory symptoms, and controls; children involved in the vaccination programme. Viral identification was conducted by polymerase chain reaction for 21 different viruses; bacteria were identified by culture studies. Associations between microorganisms, acute respiratory infection and severity of disease were calculated by multivariate regression adjusting for confounders such as age, sex, and living area. Results: Overall, 102 cases and 96 controls were included. Microorganisms were detected in 90.1% of cases and 53.7% of controls ( P < .001). Influenza virus A (including H1N1), influenza virus B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Streptococcus pneumoniae were independently associated with acute respiratory tract infections. Co-detection of two or more pathogens was present in 49.5% of cases; 31.7% of cases had a pneumonia and 90.2% was treated with antibiotics. Conclusions: This case-control study in a primary care setting in sub-Saharan Africa found influenza virus A and B, RSV, and S pneumoniae to be the main causes of acute respiratory tract infections in children below 5 years of age. We recommend evaluation of antibiotics prescription behaviour in this setting.

COVID-19 au Sénégal: réflexion d´un microbiologiste

“…L´incidence élevée du paludisme, de l´infection à VIH, des hépatites, des maladies rénales a fait que le fardeau des infections respiratoires en Afrique soit longtemps négligé [ 7 ]. En outre, il est établi que les virus respiratoires ne sont pas des virus pathogènes spécifiques et que bon nombre de personnes sont des porteurs asymptomatiques [ 8 ].Une étude réalisée au Sénégal avait montré que 42,1% des enfants de moins de 5 ans étaient porteurs asymptomatiques de tels virus [ 8 ].…”

“…Pour les facteurs de prédispositions génétiques, la négativité des tests chez les personnes contactes pourrait s´expliquer par la présence de facteurs génétiques prédisposants. Pour les malades présentant les symptômes respiratoires attribués à SARS CoV-2, les autres virus respiratoires tels qu´influenza virus, VRS, rhinovirus, entérovirus, métapneumovirus, para influenza virus et les coronavirus humains peuvent être responsables [ 8 ]. Ainsi la détection de SARS CoV-2 devrait être associée à la détection de ces virus respiratoires étant donné la ressemblance des signes cliniques que causent ces virus.…”

“…Ainsi la détection de SARS CoV-2 devrait être associée à la détection de ces virus respiratoires étant donné la ressemblance des signes cliniques que causent ces virus. Ainsi aucun argument solide n´est en faveur de l´imputabilité de ces maladies respiratoires au SARS CoV-2 d´autant qu´une étude antérieure réalisée à Dakar avait montré un portage des coronavirus humains de même que d´autres virus respiratoires chez les enfants de moins de 5 ans [ 8 ].…”

Molecular Detection and Clinical Characteristics of Bacterial and Viral Main Etiological Agents Causing Respiratory Tract Infections in Tehran, Iran

“…Globally, respiratory tract infections are one of the most important infections among the most common infectious diseases [1]. Respiratory tract infections were considered life-threatening complications that can cause high morbidity and mortality in both adults and children [2].…”

“…In general, viruses created similar and nearly indistinguishable clinical signs and symptoms to bacterial pathogens in patients [11]. Moreover, in most cases, physicians prescribe different antibiotics without any laboratory testing for the treatment of respiratory infections [1]. The unnecessarily prescribed antibiotics lead to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance among pathogens.…”