Detection of RSV in children ≤2 years from SARS CoV-2 negative samples at National Public Health Laboratory, Nepal

Authors

  • Runa Jha National Public Health Laboratory, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Priya Jha National Public Health Laboratory, Kathmandu, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4170-5675
  • Lok Bandhu Chaudhary National Public Health Laboratory, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Lilee Shrestha National Public Health Laboratory, Kathmandu, Nepal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jpahs.v10i2.54528

Keywords:

polymerase chain reaction, respiratory syncytial viruses, SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial viruses also known as human Respiratory syncytial viruses (HRSV) are highly transmissible respiratory pathogens & the leading cause of hospitalization due to lower respiratory infection, especially in the pediatric population. This study is intended to determine the RSV positivity in SARS-CoV-2 negative samples obtained from patients ≤ 2 years, collected from September 2021 to December 2021, when RSV infection is more common.

Method: SARS-CoV-2 negative archived nasopharyngeal samples of children ≤2 years from September 2021 to December at National Public Health Laboratory were tested for RSV by real-time reverse transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) using CDC RSV Kit. The Pan -RSV primer/probe set used for the universal detection of RSV and duplex RSV subgroup primer/probe set used for the detection and subgroup-specific identification of RSV A and B.

Result: A total of 294 SARS- CoV-2 negative samples from children less than 2 years were tested. RSV A was identified in 100/294 (34%) and RSV B was detected in 6/294 (2%) samples. In all, 106/294 (36%) samples were positive for RSV. Here we report RSV positivity rate of 36% in SARS-CoV-2 negative samples which were left undiagnosed during the surge of COVID-19 cases.

Conclusion: Our study thereby highlights the need for an accurate and rapid differential or multiplex kits for screening respiratory disease for the effective disease management in the pediatric population.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
96
pdf
136

Author Biographies

Runa Jha, National Public Health Laboratory, Kathmandu, Nepal

Director

Priya Jha, National Public Health Laboratory, Kathmandu, Nepal

Microbiologist

Lok Bandhu Chaudhary, National Public Health Laboratory, Kathmandu, Nepal

Medical Lab Technologist

Lilee Shrestha, National Public Health Laboratory, Kathmandu, Nepal

Chief Medical Laboratory Technologist

Downloads

Published

2023-08-31

How to Cite

Jha, R., Jha, P., Chaudhary, L. B., & Shrestha, L. (2023). Detection of RSV in children ≤2 years from SARS CoV-2 negative samples at National Public Health Laboratory, Nepal. Journal of Patan Academy of Health Sciences, 10(2), 5–11. https://doi.org/10.3126/jpahs.v10i2.54528

Issue

Section

General Section: Original Articles