Status and epidemiological characteristics of upper respiratory tract viral and bacterial infection among children in Chengdu / 公共卫生与预防医学

ABSTRACT

Objective To understand the status of acute upper respiratory tract viral and bacterial infections in children in Chengdu and to analyze its epidemiological characteristics. Methods From April 2018 to April 2020, 1,324 children with acute upper respiratory tract infection admitted to Chengdu Second People's Hospital were enrolled in the study. Pathogens from throat swab specimens were cultured, isolated, and identified. Results Among 1 324 specimens, the detection rate of bacterial and viral infection was 76.44% (1 012/1 324). The detection rate of simple viral infection was 50.40%, the detection rate of simple bacterial infection was 16.21%, and the detection rate of mixed infection was 33.40%. Haemophilus influenzae was the main bacterial type and respiratory syncytial virus A was the main virus type. The positive rate of upper respiratory tract viral infection among children with different ages was significantly different (P<0.05). The positive rate of viral and bacterial upper respiratory tract infection showed a statistically significant difference among different infection seasons (P<0.05). In addition, the positive rate of viral upper respiratory tract infection among children from different districts had statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion Children with upper respiratory tract infections in Chengdu area are mainly viral infections. Haemophilus influenzae and respiratory syncytial virus A are the main pathogens of upper respiratory tract infections in children. 0~1 year old is the age with the highest incidence of upper respiratory tract bacterial infection, while 1~4 years old is the age with the highest incidence of virus infection. Children in urban areas and in winter have higher positive rates of upper respiratory tract infections.