Assessment of specific IgA and Interferon gamma levels in serum of children with respiratory syncytial virus infection

Background. An estimated 33 million children under the age of five worldwide are projected to be infected with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), with 10% of those cases necessitating hospital admission and up to 199,000 deaths from the illness. An upper respiratory infection called bronchiolitis, a lower respiratory tract disease with tiny airway blockage that infrequently results in pneumonia, respiratory failure, apnea, and mortality, is the most common clinical complication associated with RSV infection. Patients and method. This study involved 58 children diagnosed with RSV, 43 (74.14%) were RSV serotype B and 15 (25.86) were serotype A clinically with the help of pediatrician and laboratory by PCR method. The Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children in the Al-Anbar Governorate served as the study's site in period ranging from 1 December 2023 to 15 March 2024. Specific IgA and IFN gamma were detected in serum of infected children their age ranging from 1 months to under 5 years. Result. In this study, we examine 100 cases of probable RSV. Out of 100 cases 58 children diagnosed with RSV. The major infection was recorded by serotype B 43 (74.1%) while, 15(25.8%) with serotype A, 45 positive for specific RSV IgA test and 28 positive for INF-Y test confirm by ELISA technique. Statistical analysis was performed on data from RSV-infected patients as well as age subgroup populations. Patients have been classified into the following age groups: 1-6 months N=36 (36%), 6 to 12 months N=24 (24%), 12 to 18 months N=9 (9%), 18 to 24 months N=17 (17%), and more than 24 months N=14 (14%). Conclusion. The variability in specific RSV IgA and IFN-Gamma responses suggests that immune function differs significantly among individuals. This variability may be related to disease progression, susceptibility, or response to treatments such as antivirals or vaccines.