RESPIRATORY VIRUS OCCURRENCE AMONG CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

To assess the occurrence and clinical aspects of respiratory viral infections in children with congenital heart disease in a cardiology pediatric ward a prospective study was done in children with acute respiratory infection during 2005, 2007 and 2008. Nasopharyngeal washes were collected and tested through direct immunofluorescence for human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), influenza virus A and B (Flu A/B), parainfluenzavirus 1, 2 and 3 (PIV 1,2,3) and human adenovirus (HAdV). Samples collected from hospitalized children were also evaluated for human metapneumovirus (hMPV), human rhinovirus (HRV) and human bocavirus (HBoV) through molecular methods. Out of 102 analyzed children, 11% were positive for the following viruses: 5 HRSV, 3 PIV-3, 1 Flu A, 1 Flu B, and 1 HAdV. Five (8,3%) of 60 patients needed hospitalization, and one of these patients died. These five patients had complex congenital heart disease, were not submitted to surgical correction and were under one year old. Three patients were positive for the following viruses: 1 HRSV, 1 HRV and 1 HRV+HAdV. The present study highlights the importance of respiratory viral infection in children with complex congenital heart disease morbidity. Other viral etiologies as HRV and HAdV, besides the common HRSV, should be considered in respiratory viral diagnosis. DOI:  http://dx.doi.org/10.17525/vrrjournal.v16i1-2.48