Rolle der RSV-Subtypen A und B und klinischer Risikofaktoren auf den Schweregrad von RSV-Infektionen bei hospitalisierten Säuglingen und Kleinkindern

BACKGROUND: Since it is possible to identify the subgroups of RSV, A-subtype and B-subtype, there are findings indicating that the subtype may influence severity of RSV infection. Our study was designed to assess the hypothesis that A-subtype infections were more severe than B-subtype infections among hospitalized children. PATIENTS: All medical records of patients hospitalized with RSV infection between March 1990 and March 1993 were reviewed. A total of 107 children with proven RSV infection were identified. METHODS: Nasal waste specimens for culture were obtained from infants with suspected RSV infection. Subtype determination was done on frozen virus cultures. The following risk factors were defined: age or = 50 mmHg. The RSV subtype was not significantly correlated with severity. CONCLUSIONS: RSV infection even in very young children is predominantly influenced by underlying disease, prematurity and weight. The RSV subtype was no independent risk factor for an increased morbidity in this retrospective study. Therefore, in our opinion, RSV subtype is less meaningful to predict the severity of RSV infection than known risk factors.