Seroprevalence of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus among children with respiratory tract infection in Kirkuk city/Iraq

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV) causes acute respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in newborns and young children, which can result in serious consequences.. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of HRSV in children below 5 years with respiratory infections and understand its correlations with demographic parameters. The study involved 180 children with RTIs aged between 2 months to 5 years. Serum specimens were collected and screened for HRSV IgM and IgG antibodies using ELISA kits. The Results showed that HRSV IgM antibody found in 37(20.55%), with a significant correlation with age (P<0.05). While, HRSV IgG antibody was positive in 29(16,11%) patients. HRSV IgM positivity was higher among children with allergies (72.97%), asthma (8.11%), bronchitis (18.92%). Also, children living in smoking environment had the highest positivity rate of IgM (62.16%) and IgG (62.07%). High IgM and IgG antibodies were recorded in patients with wheezing chest, and on mechanical ventilator P<0.05. In conclusion, the study demonstrate seroprevlance of HRSV infection in children with RTIs.