Viral acute respiratory infections in children and adolescents with cancer: prevalence, clinical characteristics and biomolecular

Abstract

In our setting little is known about respiratory viruses in febrile pediatric oncology patients, but there is evidence in the literature of their role in increased risk of infections, bacteremia, sepsis and death. Treatment is aggressive and involves various hospitalizations and stratification of risk based on neutrophil count, even without etiologic diagnosis. Despite the reduction in mortality, its applicability is questioned, considering that is invasive and burdensome. There is no consensus on the stratification of risk, the participation of respiratory viruses aimed at an accurate diagnosis and safe therapy, and reduction in costs and in morbidity and mortality rates with improvement of quality of life. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of infection caused by respiratory viruses (influenza (A/B), parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3, respiratory adenovirus, respiratory syncitial virus, human metapneumovirus, human coronavirus and rhinovirus), using the technique of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in real time in cancer patients with acute respiratory infection (ARI). Methods: Prospective, observational study, based on samples of nasopharygeal aspirate, oroharygeal and saliva of patients less than 18 years old, with cancer, fever and respiratory symptoms, under care at the GRENDACC hospitals Hospital Universitário (HUJ) and Santa Casa de São Paulo, October2010 to August 2012. 500 provided for sampling. Statistics: Chi-squared, Mann Whitney; p(x2)<0.05 and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models for the diseases. (AU)