Clinical impact of respiratory syncytial virus infection on children hospitalized for pertussis

Abstract Background Although Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the common pathogens in children with pertussis and viral coinfection, clinical impact RSV infection on remains unclear. We compared characteristics sought differences between infants single Bordetella ( B. ) those coinfection. Methods enrolled 80 patients who were hospitalized Shenzhen Children’s Hospital from January 2017 to December 2019. tract samples tested for real-time polymerase chain reaction respiratory viruses immunofluorescence assay. Clinical data obtained hospital records collected using a structured questionnaire. Results Thirty-seven had alone (pertussis group) 43 RSV-pertussis coinfection (coinfection group). No significant found regard sex, body weight, preterm birth history, vaccination, symptoms, presence pneumonia, or lymphocyte count 2 groups. Univariate analysis showed older (median, 4.57 months vs 4.03 months, p = 0.048); more commonly treated β-lactam antibiotics (21% 5%, 0.044); higher rates wheezes (40% 14%, 0.009) rales (35% 0.028) chest auscultation, rate readmission 11%, 0.004), longer stay 10 days 7 days, 0.002). In further binary logistic regression analysis, (OR 3.802; 95% CI: 1.106 13.072; 0.034) 5.835; 1.280 26.610; 0.023). Conclusions increases pertussis. should be suspected when are present auscultation these patients. Early detection may avoid unnecessary antibiotic use.