RESPIRATORY bacterial co-detection has shown to be significant in children with RSV-associated illnesses, according to a new study presented at the 8th Respiratory Syncytial Virus Foundation Conference (ReSViNET) which took place in Mumbai, India, from the 13th–16th February 2024.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus, causing infections of the respiratory tract and lungs and is a significant contributor to paediatric morbidity. Previous research suggests RSV additionally leads to secondary severe infections, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia in patients; however, the incidence frequency and implicated organisms remain elusive.
Lead author Haya Hayek, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, and colleagues presented a clinical study investigating multiple pathogenic infections, known as bacterial co-detection in RSV-positive children. Using the Epic Clarity database, data on bacterial co-detection was extracted and analysed from RSV-positive children. For each new infection, respiratory, blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid specimens were collected up to 72 hours after presentation.
Results indicated that of the children who underwent RPP testing, 2,830 out of 27,670 (10.2%) were RSV-positive. Of the 1,038 children who had at least one culture performed, 129 (12.4%) were positive for one or more co-detected bacteria. Bacterial growth was present in 54.1% of respiratory (n=59/109), 5.6% of urine (n=34/603), 3.7% of blood (n=39/836), and 1.3% of cerebrospinal fluid cultures. Regarding the bacteria present, Escherichia coli was the most predominant from urine (n=21/34), Staphylococcus epidermis from blood (n=16/39), and Haemophilus influenzae from respiratory specimens (n=13/59). Furthermore, Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from both positive cerebrospinal fluid specimens.
The researchers concluded that respiratory bacterial co-detection was distinct in children with severe RSV-associated illnesses. Hayek emphasised for future research to focus on delineating the clinical implications and effective management strategies for these co-detections.
