RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS-INFECTION IN YOUNG-CHILDREN HOSPITALIZED WITH RESPIRATORY ILLNESS IN RIYADH

The occurrence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection among yo ung children hospitalized with lower respiratory tract illness, at Kin g Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, was examined during the autumn -winter season between September 1991 and February 1992. Sixty-nine ca ses were diagnosed by immunofluorescent antibody staining of viral ant igen in nasopharyngeal aspirates from 127 children, constituting 54 pe r cent of these patients. Virus culture was attempted only in a few ca ses, yielding two isolates. Most children were < 1 year of age (median 2 months). Bronchiolitis and bronchopneumonia were the major diagnose s on admission. Hospitalization was for an average of 5 days (range 1- 36 days). Treatment was supportive but most children received antibiot ic therapy. There was no mortality. Pew other bacterial or viral patho gens could be identifed from RSV-positive or -negative patients. These results indicate that, during the season of infection, RSV may be the main pathogen of lower respiratory tract illness in hospitalized youn g children in this region.