RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS-INFECTION IN TROPICAL AND DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES

Little is known about the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection ill tropical and developing countries; the data curren tly available have been reviewed. In most studies, RSV was found to be the predominant viral cause of acute lower respiratory trace infectio ns (ALRI) in childhood, being responsible for 27-96% of hospitalised c ases (mean 65%) in which a virus was found. RSV infection is seasonal in most countries; outbreaks occur most frequently in the cold season in areas with temperate and Mediterranean climates and in the wet seas on in tropical countries with seasonal rainfall. The situation on isla nds and in areas of the inner tropics with perennial high rainfall is less clear-cut. The age group mainly affected by RSV in developing cou ntries is children under 6 months of age (mean 39% of hospital patient s with RSV). RSV-ALRI is slightly more common in boys than in girls. V ery little information is available about the mortality of children in fected with RSV, the frequency of bacterial co-infection, or the incid ence of further wheezing after RSV. Further studies on RSV should addr ess these questions in more detail. RSV is an important pathogen in yo ung children in tropical and developing countries and a frequent cause of hospital admission. Prevention of RSV infection by vaccination wou ld have a significant impact on the incidence of ALRI in children in d eveloping countries.