Serological Diagnosis of Respiratory Syncytial Virus by ELISA Technique among Children with Respiratory Tract Infections in Beiji City, Iraq

Abstract

The study have been done to detect Human Respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) infections among hospitalized children under 5 years old in Beiji city Salah-Aldin Governorate, in addition to identify the risk factors associated with the virus. Whole blood samples were taken from 300 hospitalized children between the end of October 2021, to the end of June 2022, each sample was analyzed for HRSV by immunoglobulin M (IgM) specific to HRSV determining from blood specimens in serum using enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Of the 300 serum samples, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was found in 120 (40%), 63 (42%) females, and 57 (38%) males. The age group was more susceptible to infection between 7-12 months for RSV at a rate of 25%. The study revealed that 61.66% of children exposed to smoke from one or both parents was positive for RSV, while 38.33% showed negative results for the presence of RSV. Considering the type of feeding, the current study showed that RSV infection was demonstrated in a higher percentage in patients with bottle feeding 60%, while a low percentage was demonstrated in patients with breastfeeding at 13.3%. Our results indicated the prevalence of RSV among children after imposing vaccination and reducing non-pharmaceutical interventions.