Distribuição temporal e ocorrência de vírus respiratórios em uma população pediátrica : estudo epidemiológico

Abstract

Acute Respiratory Infections are common illnesses and represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in millions of children annually, with viruses being the potential cause of these infections. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct, using molecular methods, epidemiological surveillance of adverse viruses (Influenza A, Influenza B, Adenovirus, and Rhinovirus) in children aged 2 months to 12 years, with a clinical profile compatible with viral respiratory tract infections, treated at the private hospital Alberto Urquiza Wanderley (UNIMED), located in the state of Paraíba, between May 2021 and July 2025. For this purpose, nasopharyngeal mucus was collected with a nasal swab, and the samples were sent to the Applied Molecular Surveillance Laboratory of UFPB. The material underwent a viral RNA removal process using QIAamp Viral Mini Kit (Qiagen®) removal kits, and after that, an RT- qPCR was performed to detect the reported viruses. Children's participation in the study was contingent upon their legal guardians signing an informed consent form, and the hospital provided a participant notification form containing the necessary clinical data. The study included 1,250 children, of whom 17.2% tested positive for at least one of the respiratory viruses investigated. Confirmed cases were concentrated in 20 municipalities in Paraíba, predominantly in João Pessoa, and the 1- 4 year age group had the highest number of suspected and positive cases, with a statistically significant association between age group and diagnostic test result (p < 0.05), affecting viral positivity. A progressive increase in the number of tested cases was observed from 2023 onwards, with annual variation in the positivity rate. Adenovirus was the most prevalent pathogen throughout the period, followed by human rhinovirus, while Influenza B showed the lowest frequency. The distribution of viruses varied according to age group, but there was no statistically significant association between specific viruses and age after correction for multiple comparisons. Coinfections were infrequent, with those involving human rhinovirus being the most common. Most positive children did not require hospitalization, and regarding symptoms, fever and cough were the most frequent in both positive and negative cases, with no statistically significant association observed between the type of virus and the clinical profile of symptoms. Among the identified risk factors, fever was the most prevalent. This study allowed for an integrated analysis of the data obtained; however, the use of convenience samples and the restriction of data to a single private service are specific to the study. Nevertheless, the data presented are substantial for understanding the epidemiological and clinical profile of viral infections in children in Paraíba, highlighting the importance of continuous molecular surveillance as an essential tool for monitoring viral circulation, planning public health actions, and improving strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of pediatric respiratory infections.