The purpose of this study was to identify the rate of infections due to RSV and other viruses in children. In addition we have analyzed demographic data and clinical characteristics of the RSV-positive patients comparing with patients infected by other respiratory viruses. We also described the seasonality of the RSV occurrence in a hospital in São Paulo. Children below 5 years old admitted in Santa Casa de São Paulo Hospital between February 2005 and September 2006 due to acute respiratory infections (ARI) were included. A nasopharyngeal specimens were obtained with sterile No. 5 French feeding catheters as soon as possible (usually within 24 h). Specimens were kept refrigerated at 4ºC and transported to Adolfo Lutz Institute, where the indirect immunofluorescent assay was performed. Virus identified by these assay included RSV, Adenovirus, Influenza A and B virus and Parainfluenza 1, 2, and 3. Clinical data from each group was compared. Four hundred and fifty five cases were included in the study, with 30% positive for some type of virus. Viruses that were identified included Respiratory Syncytial Virus (73.03%), Influenza (8.42%), Parainfluenza (8.42%) and Adenovirus (3.37%). We divided the subjects in 3 groups: Group 1 RSV-Positive, Group 2 Other Positive Viruses and Group 3 Negative for Respiratory Virus. Mean age (months) was of 7.5 for RSV-positive children, 7.6 for other viruses, and 8 for negative for respiratory virus. The RSV-Positive Group was significantly younger than the Group Negative for Respiratory Virus (p<0.05). Signs of UAI were more present in the Positive RSV Group (p<0.05). General mortality was of 2.41%. There was a higher incidence of RSV between the months of March and August in the two years of the study. Our study indicates RSV as the most prevalent viral agent in children admitted due to (ARI), especially in infants below 3 months old. We have also found that infections due to RSV can occur in months others than the classic seasonal period.

Apresenta-se um estudo sobre a avaliação clínica e laboratorial de crianças e adultos jovens com exantema semelhante ao sarampo, durante a ocorrência do surto epidêmico de sarampo na região metropolitana da Grande São Paulo no final de 1996 que se alastrou por todo o país durante o ano de 1997. O diagnóstico laboratorial de sarampo foi firmado em 7 dos 11 pacientes examinados, por detecção direta de IgM específico em amostras de soro da fase aguda da doença, por soroconversão de IgG em um par de amostras da fase aguda e convalescente, pelo isolamento do vírus em culturas de linhagem B95a e pela detecção do RNA viral por PCR em linfócitos do sangue periférico e na urina. O quadro clínico apresentado pelos pacientes nem sempre correspondeu à forma clássica do sarampo. Um jovem adulto, que havia sido vacinado contra o sarampo, apresentou um quadro clínico modificado. Os 4 casos restantes foram negativos em todas as provas laboratoriais para o sarampo, tendo diagnóstico final de exantema súbito (2 casos), escarlatina e Doença de Kawasaki. O presente estudo reforça o ponto de vista de que os sinais e sintomas clínicos são geralmente insuficientes para estabelecer um diagnóstico preciso de sarampo na era pós-vacinal, sendo indispensável um sistema de vigilância baseado em resultados laboratoriais que confirmam todos os casos suspeitos, inclusive os casos de sarampo com sorologia IgM-negativa

A clinical and laboratory evaluation of 11 children and young adults with measleslike rash was done during the measles outbreak in the Greater São Paulo Metropolitan area at the end of 1996 and spread over the country during 1997. Measles was laboratory confirmed in 07 patients by specific IgM detection in acute serum specimens using an IgM-capture EIA, by specific IgG seroconversion in serum pairs, and by reverse transcription PCR and virus isolation in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Clinical presentations were not always classic; one of the 07 cases had received measles vaccine and corresponded to modified clinical case of measles. The 4 remaining cases were negative for measles and were diagnosed as exanthem subitum (2 cases), scarlet fever and Kawasaki disease. The present study reinforces the view that clinical features alone are not sufficient for establishing an accurate diagnosis in the post-vaccine era, and a surveillance system based on sensitive laboratory results is needed so that it can confirm IgM-negative measles cases.