Epidemiological characteristics of common respiratory pathogens in children

Abstract Background :Children's respiratory tract infection is a common disease affecting children's health. Our aim is to describe the epidemiological characteristics of common pathogens of children's respiratory tract infection in outpatient clinics in central Shandong, China. Methods : Sputum, tracheal aspirate, alveolar lavage fluid and other samples of 4804 children admitted to wards of Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital for treatment of respiratory tract infection from June 2019 to December 2022 were collected, and 12 common respiratory tract pathogens were detected by multiple PCR detection technology. Two bacteria (SP, HI), two atypical pathogens (MP, CP) and eight viruses (HRV, RSV, IVA, PIV, HMPV, HBOV, HCOV, IVB) were included. The proportion and positive detection rate of each type of respiratory tract mixed infection and the positive detection rate of single pathogen in different ages and seasons were statistically analyzed. Results : (1) Among 4804 children with respiratory tract infection, the total positive rate was 77.87% (3741/4804). The positive rate was 34.47% (1656/4804). Streptococcus pneumoniae, rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus were the highest. There were 2085 cases of mixed infection with two or more pathogens, the positive rate was 43.40%. (2) The positive rates of infection in infant group (0-1 years old), infant group (1-3 years old), preschool group and school age group (3 years old -) were roughly the same. The infection rates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus in infant group, rhinovirus in infant group, influenza A virus, chlamydia pneumoniae, mycoplasma pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae in school age group were higher than those in other groups. The difference was statistically significant ( P <0.05). (3) The positive detection rates of spring, summer, autumn and winter groups were 43.58%, 38.64%, 33.73% and 29.27%, respectively. The positive rates of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae in spring group, mycoplasma pneumoniae in summer group, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and influenza A virus in autumn group, chlamydia pneumoniae, Boca virus and influenza B virus in winter group were higher than those in other seasons, and the differences were statistically significant ( P <0.05). Conclusion ：The pathogen detection rate of children varies with age and season, and the prevention and treatment of a certain respiratory pathogen infection must be combined with its raging season and age rule.