Viral and bacterial etiology of severe acute respiratory illness among children < 5 years of age without influenza in Niger. Issue 1 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lagare, Adamou; Maïnassara, Halima; Issaka, Bassira; Sidiki, Ali; Tempia, Stefano
• Is Part Of: BMC infectious diseases. Volume 15:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Niger -- Severe acute respiratory illness -- Virus -- Bacteria -- Etiology; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Sexually Transmitted Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.905
• DOI: 10.1186/s12879-015-1251-y
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-2334

Abstract

Abstract Background Globally, pneumonia is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children, with the highest burden experienced in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. However, there is a dearth of information on the etiology of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) in Africa, including Niger. Methods We implemented a retrospective study as part of national influenza sentinel surveillance in Niger. We randomly selected a sample of nasopharyngeal specimens collected from children &lt;5 years of age hospitalized with SARI from January 2010 through December 2012 in Niger. The samples were selected from individuals that tested negative by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) for influenza A and B virus. The samples were analyzed using the Fast Track Diagnostic Respiratory Pathogens 21plus Kit (BioMérieux, Luxemburg), which detects 23 respiratory pathogens including 18 viral and 5 bacterial agents. Results Among the 160 samples tested, 138 (86 %) tested positive for at least one viral or bacterial pathogen; in 22 (16 %) sample, only one pathogen was detected. We detected at least one respiratory virus in 126 (78 %) samples and at least one bacterium in 102 (64 %) samples. Respiratory syncytial virus (56/160; 35 %), rhinovirus (47/160; 29 %) and parainfluenza virus (39/160; 24 %) were the most common viral pathogens detected. Among bacterial pathogens, Streptococcus pneumoniae (90/160; 56 %) andHaemophilus influenzae type b (20/160; 12 %) predominated. Conclusions The high prevalence of certain viral and bacterial pathogens among children &lt;5 years of age with SARI highlights the need for continued and expanded surveillance in Niger.