Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Comparative Study
. 2004 Feb;21(1):35-42.
doi: 10.1016/s0761-8425(04)71233-4.

[Epidemiology and diagnosis of respiratory syncitial virus in adults]

[Article in French]
F Freymuth  1 , A Vabret, S Gouarin, J Petitjean, P Charbonneau, P Lehoux, F Galateau-Salle, F Tremolières, M F Carette, C Mayaud, A Mosnier, L Burnouf
Affiliations
Comparative Study

[Epidemiology and diagnosis of respiratory syncitial virus in adults]

[Article in French]
F Freymuth et al. Rev Mal Respir. 2004 Feb.

Abstract
in English, French

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is rarely searched for in respiratory infections in adults. This study assessed its frequency and diagnosis.

Methods: Three separate studies were conducted in adults presenting with (1) a flu-like illness, (2) a lower respiratory tract infection in the community, and (3) a severe pneumonia requiring hospitalisation. The diagnosis of RSV infection was sought by PCR in all cases, and compared to antigen detection and culture in two studies.

Results: RSV was identified in 20 (11.7%) of 170 influenza-vaccinated adults suffering from flu-like symptoms. In the 270 cases of non-severe lower respiratory tract illnesses in the community, viruses were identified in 86 (31.8%) cases, with RSV accounting for 13 (4.8%). In the 164 cases of acute bronchitis, a virus was detected in 64 (36.7%) of which 11 (6.3%) were RSV, 37 (21.3%) rhinovirus, 5 influenza viruses A and B, and 12 other viruses. In the 60 cases of infective exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, rhinovirus was detected in 9 (15%) and para-influenza 3 virus in 2 cases. In the 21 acute pneumonia's, 1 RSV, 1 influenza virus A and 2 rhinovirus cases were detected as well as 1 RSV, 1 parainfluenza 3 viruses and 4 rhinovirus cases in the 11 lower respiratory tract illnesses in patients with pre-existing lung disease. There were overall 19 viral and bacterial associated infections. Finally, in the 51 acute pneumonias hospitalised with respiratory distress syndrome, a virus was identified in 17 (33.3%) cases, including 3 (5.5%) RSV, 6 influenza A, 3 rhinovirus, 2 adenovirus, 2 herpes simplex virus and 1 cytomegalovirus. There were 6 bacterial-associated infections, and 4 were hospital-acquired. All RSV-infected patients were old people and had chronic pulmonary or cardiac disease.

Conclusions: In adults, RSV is a frequent cause of flu-like symptoms. It can sometimes cause lower respiratory tract illness, which can be severe, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis in such cases. The PCR method is a particularly effective diagnostic test, but as yet is not routinely available.

Introduction: Le virus respiratoire syncytial (VRS) est rarement recherché dans les infections respiratoires de l’adulte. Ce travail en étudie la fréquence et le diagnostic.

Méthodes: Trois enquêtes distinctes ont été menées chez des adultes atteints soit d’un syndrome pseudo-grippal, d’une infection respiratoire basse communautaire ou hospitalisés pour une pneumopathie infectieuse grave. La recherche du VRS a été faite par PCR dans tous les cas et comparée à la détection antigénique et la culture dans deux enquêtes.

Résultats: Le VRS est identifié chez 20 (11,7 %) des 170 adultes vaccinés contre la grippe atteints d’un syndrome pseudo-grippal. Dans 270 infections respiratoires basses communautaires sans signes de gravité on trouve un virus dans 86 (31,8 %) cas, dont 13 VRS (4,8 %) ; un virus est détecté dans 64 (36,7 %) des 164 bronchites aiguës : 11 VRS (6,3 %), 37 rhinovirus (21,3 %), 5 virus influenza A et B, et 12 autres virus ; dans les 60 bronchites chroniques surinfectées, il y a 9 rhinovirus (15 %), 2 virus parainfluenza 3 et aucun VRS ; dans les 21 pneumopathies infectieuses aiguës, on trouve 1 VRS, 1 virus influenza A et 2 rhinovirus, et dans les 11 cas d’infections respiratoires basses sur poumon pathologique, 1 VRS, 1 virus parainfluenza 3 et 4 rhinovirus ; il y a au total 19 infections bactériennes et virales associées. Enfin, dans les 51 pneumopathies infectieuses avec détresse respiratoire hospitalisées en réanimation, un virus est isolé dans 17 (33,3 %) cas : 3 VRS (5,8 %), 6 virus influenza A, 3 rhinovirus, 2 adénovirus, 2 herpes simplex et un CMV ; il y a 6 infections bactériennes associées dont 4 d’origine nosocomiale. Tous les patients infectés par le VRS sont âgés et présentent un facteur de risque respiratoire ou cardiaque.

Conclusions: Chez l’adulte le VRS est responsable de fréquents syndromes pseudo-grippaux et parfois d’infections respiratoires basses, qui peuvent être graves et qu’il faut penser à rechercher. La technique PCR est particulièrement efficace mais non disponible en routine.

PubMed Disclaimer

Comment in

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Glezen W.P., Taber L.H., Frank A.L., Kasel J.A. Risk of primary infection and reinfection with respiratory syncytial virus. Am J Dis Child. 1986;140:543–546. - PubMed
    1. Hall C.B., Geiman J.M., Biggar R., Kotok D.I., Hogan P.M., Douglas J.R. Respiratory syncytial virus infection within families. N Engl J Med. 1976;294:414–419. - PubMed
    1. Johnson K.M., Bloom H.H., Mufson M.A., chanock R.M. Natural reinfection of adults by respîratory syncytial virus: possible relation to mild upper respiratory disease. N Engl J Med. 1962;267:68–72. - PubMed
    1. Vikersfold T., Grandien M., Olcen P. Respiratory syncytial virus in adults. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1987;136:561–564. - PubMed
    1. Falsey A., Walsh E.E. Respiratory syncytial virus infection in adults. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2000;13:371–384. - PMC - PubMed

MeSH terms