MOLECULAR DETECTION OF CORONAVIRUS IN ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTION IN EGYPTIAN CHILDREN

Abstract

Acute respiratory tract infections are considered the leading causes of acute illnesses worldwide and remain the most important cause of infant and young children mortality, responsible for about two million deaths (20%of all children deaths) each year. The current study provides some information about burden of Coronaviridae and Paramyxovirus infection in a group of Egyptian children below 5 years old with acute respiratory tract infection in two successive winter seasons (Jan _ March), 2012 and 2013. Detailed history stressing on symptoms of presence of any chronic illness, type of feeding, residence, gestational age, crowding index and 2nd hand smoking were taken. Full clinical examination with special stress on vital data and chest examination with categorizing cases according to respiratory score. Nasopharyngeal swabs were done and RT_PCR was done for corona viridae and paramyxoviridae family. The following results were obtained: 1- No recorded cases with coronavirinae viruses. 2- 53 cases were positive for nasopharyngeal paramyxoviridae virus, 39 cases (58%) were below 1 year and 14cases (42%) were above 1 year. 3- Among paramyxoviridae positive cases male were 69.8%. 4- Mean age of positive cases (10.24±7.7) months which was statistically significant less than negative cases (19.2±19.3) months p= (0.002). 5- Positive paramyxoviridae cases had a statistically significant low z weight score and higher clinical severity score compared to negative cases. 6- No statistically significant difference between paramyxoviridae positive and negative cases as regards residence, gestational age and 2nd hands smoking. In conclusion: No recorded cases of coronavirus in our studied sample of Egyptian children during those two successive winter seasons 2012 and 2013. Paramyxoviridae virus can be considered as an important etiological factor for acute respiratory illness among Egyptian children.