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Incidence and severity of respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia in rural Kenyan children identified through hospital surveillance

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Nokes, D. James, Ngama, Mwanajuma, Bett, Anne, Abwao, John, Munywoki, Patrick, English, M. (Mike), Scott, J. Anthony G., Cane, Patricia and Medley, Graham. (2009) Incidence and severity of respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia in rural Kenyan children identified through hospital surveillance. Clinical Infectious Diseases, Vol.49 (No.9). pp. 1341-1349. ISSN 1058-4838

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/606055

Abstract

Background.Although necessary for developing a rationale for vaccination, the burden of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in children in resource‐poor settings remains poorly defined.

Methods.We conducted prospective surveillance of severe and very severe pneumonia in children aged <5 years admitted from 2002 through 2007 to Kilifi district hospital in coastal Kenya. Nasal specimens were screened for RSV antigen by immunofluorescence. Incidence rates were estimated for the well‐defined population.

Results.Of 25,149 hospital admissions, 7359 patients (29%) had severe or very severe pneumonia, of whom 6026 (82%) were enrolled. RSV prevalence was 15% (20% among infants) and 27% during epidemics (32% among infants). The proportion of case patients aged 3 months was 65%, and the proportion aged 6 months was 43%. Average annual hospitalization rates were 293 hospitalizations per 100,000 children aged <5 years (95% confidence interval, 271–371 hospitalizations per 100,000 children aged <5 years) and 1107 hospitalizations per 100,000 infants (95% confidence interval, 1012–1211 hospitalizations per 100,000 infants). Hospital admission rates were double in the region close to the hospital. Few patients with RSV infection had life‐threatening clinical features or concurrent serious illnesses, and the associated mortality was 2.2%.

Conclusions.In this low‐income setting, rates of hospital admission with RSV‐associated pneumonia are substantial; they are comparable to estimates from the United States but considerably underestimate the burden in the full community. An effective vaccine for children aged >2 months (outside the age group of poor responders) could prevent a large portion of RSV disease. Severity data suggest that the justification for RSV vaccination will be based on the prevention of morbidity, not mortality.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Subjects:

R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics

Divisions:

Faculty of Science > Life Sciences (2010- ) > Biological Sciences ( -2010)

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):

Respiratory syncytial virus -- Kenya, Paramyxoviruses -- Kenya, Communicable diseases in children -- Kenya, Rural poor -- Health and hygiene -- Kenya, Communicable diseases -- Hospitals -- Kenya

Journal or Publication Title:

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Publisher:

University of Chicago Press

ISSN:

1058-4838

Official Date:

November 2009

Dates:

Date	Event
November 2009	Submitted

Volume:

Vol.49

Number:

No.9

Page Range:

pp. 1341-1349

Identification Number:

10.1086/606055

Status:

Peer Reviewed

Access rights to Published version:

Restricted or Subscription Access

Funder:

Wellcome Trust (London, England)

Grant number:

061584 (WT), 076278 (WT)

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