Abstract
Acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality
in children worldwide including Sri Lanka. This study was undertaken to determine
the viral causes and clinical manifestations of ARTI in pre-school children (Age ≤
3 years) from the Kegalle area of the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. Nasopharyngeal
aspirates (NPAs) from 98 children ≤ 3 years presenting with ARTI were tested by indirect
(screening) and direct (typing) immunofluorescence assay for the presence of respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV), influenza A and B, parainfluenza viruses 1, 2 and 3 and adenoviruses.
A respiratory virus was detected in 32.3% of cases: RSV 90%, parainfluenza type 2
virus 6% and influenza virus 4%. Detection of RSV was associated with severe cases
of bronchiolitis requiring hospitalization. These findings show the importance of
viral pathogens in ARTI in pre-school children in Sri Lanka and highlight the diversity
of viral pathogens detected in this age group.
Keywords
Viral etiology - children - acute respiratory tract infection - Sri Lanka
