Association between respiratory syncytial virus outbreaks and lower respiratory tract deaths of infants and young children.

The temporal patterns of respiratory virus isolations from 10 laboratories in the USA were compared with that of deaths of children less than 5 years old from July 1975 through June 1984. Isolations of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) occurred as yearly winter outbreaks; parainfluenza virus 1 and 2 isolations occurred as well-defined outbreaks every other year in the autumn; parainfluenza virus 3 isolations occurred throughout the year with periodic, increased isolations suggestive of outbreaks; and influenza virus isolations (A, B, or A plus B) occurred as yearly winter outbreaks. After data were controlled for seasonal patterns, RSV isolations were strongly correlated with the winter peaks in lower respiratory tract illness (LRI) deaths of infants 1-11 months old; influenza virus isolations were correlated with the winter peak in LRI deaths of children 24-59 months old. The parainfluenza viruses were not correlated with respiratory deaths. This study supports the idea that RSV is a major contributor to winter peaks in LRI deaths of children 1-11 months old.

[1]  R. Serfling.  Methods for current statistical analysis of excess pneumonia-influenza deaths. , 1963, Public health reports.

[2]  E. Caul,et al.  RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL AND OTHER VIRUSES ASSOCIATED WITH RESPIRATORY DISEASE IN INFANTS , 1971, The Lancet.

[3]  A. Kendal,et al.  Impact of influenza epidemics on mortality in the United States from October 1972 to May 1985. , 1987, American journal of public health.

[4]  J. Feeley,et al.  A simultaneous outbreak of meningococcal and influenza infections. , 1972, The New England journal of medicine.

[5]  H. E. Krause,et al.  EPIDEMIOLOGY OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS INFECTION AMONG INFANTS AND CHILDREN IN CHICAGO , 1973, American journal of epidemiology.

[6]  C B Hall,et al.  Respiratory syncytial viral infection in children with compromised immune function. , 1986, The New England journal of medicine.

[7]  M. Hilleman,et al.  Studies of acute respiratory illnesses caused by respiratory syncytial virus. 3. Clinical and laboratory findings. , 1961, The New England journal of medicine.

[8]  M. Sydow,et al.  RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS INFECTION IN YOUNG HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN , 1983, Acta paediatrica Scandinavica.

[9]  R. Chanock,et al.  Epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus infection in Washington, D.C. 3. Composite analysis of eleven consecutive yearly epidemics. , 1973, American journal of epidemiology.

[10]  R. Chanock,et al.  Epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus infection in Washington, D.C. I. Importance of the virus in different respiratory tract disease syndromes and temporal distribution of infection. , 1973, American journal of epidemiology.

[11]  D. P. Davies,et al.  Seasonal patterns of respiratory syncytial virus infection in Hong Kong: a preliminary report. , 1987, The Journal of infectious diseases.

[12]  F. W. Denny,et al.  Acute lower respiratory tract infections in nonhospitalized children. , 1986, The Journal of pediatrics.

[13]  P. Gardner,et al.  Role of respiratory viruses in childhood mortality. , 1975, British medical journal.

[14]  R. Belshe,et al.  Impact of viral respiratory diseases on infants and young children in a rural and urban area of southern West Virginia. , 1983, American journal of epidemiology.

[15]  P. Gardner,et al.  Respiratory syncytial virus infection in north-east England. , 1976, British medical journal.

[16]  T. W. Anderson,et al.  Statistical analysis of time series , 1972 .

[17]  M. Cooney,et al.  Incidence and etiology of pneumonia, croup and bronchiolitis in preschool children belonging to a prepaid medical care group over a four-year period. , 1973, American journal of epidemiology.

[18]  E. Caul,et al.  A comparison of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infections among infants admitted to hospital with acute respiratory infections , 1976, Journal of Hygiene.

[19]  J. Quillin,et al.  Sudden and Unexpected Deaths in Infants: Histology and Virology , 1973, British medical journal.

[20]  P. Gardner,et al.  Speculation on Pathogenesis in Death from Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection , 1970, British medical journal.

[21]  D. Turk,et al.  Deaths associated with respiratory tract infection in childhood. , 1967, British medical journal.

[22]  M. Hanlon,et al.  Respiratory syncytial virus: Report of a 5‐year study at a children's hospital , 1986, Journal of medical virology.

[23]  M. Hilleman,et al.  Studies of acute respiratory illnesses caused by respiratory syncytial virus. 2. Epidemiology and assessment of importance. , 1961, The New England journal of medicine.

[24]  W. P. Glezen,et al.  Parainfluenza virus type 3: seasonality and risk of infection and reinfection in young children. , 1984, The Journal of infectious diseases.

[25]  C. Hall,et al.  Respiratory syncytial viral infection in infants with congenital heart disease. , 1982, The New England journal of medicine.

[26]  A. J. Martin,et al.  EPIDEMIOLOGY OF RESPIRATORY VIRAL INFECTION AMONG PÆDIATRIC INPATIENTS OVER A SIX-YEAR PERIOD IN NORTH-EAST ENGLAND , 1978, The Lancet.

[27]  A. Monto,et al.  The Tecumseh Study of Illness. XIV. Occurrence of respiratory viruses, 1976-1981. , 1986, American journal of epidemiology.

[28]  R. Chanock,et al.  Epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus infection in Washington, D.C. II. Infection and disease with respect to age, immunologic status, race and sex. , 1973, American journal of epidemiology.