Analysis of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infections from Clinical Specimens in Ramathibodi Hospital, Thailand: A Retrospective Study from 2012-2022
Keywords:
Retrospective study, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Respiratory tract infection, Ramathibodi HospitalAbstract
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory infections in children and the elderly. This study investigated the relationship between risk factors and disease development. Data from the Virology Laboratory in the Department of Pathology at the Faculty of Medicine at
Ramathibodi Hospital were analyzed from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2022. A total of 43,230 individuals were included in the analysis. Of those, 3,273 individuals (7.57%) were found to be infected with RSV. The highest prevalence occurred during July–September, with August showing the highest prevalence. RSV infection occurred across all age groups. Specifically, a statistically significant association
with RSV infection was found in children under 6 years of age and older adults over 60 years of age compared
to adults aged 18–60 years: newborns (p-value = 0.022, odds ratio [OR] = 2.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15–6.29); infants (p-value < 0.001, OR = 4.59, 95% CI = 3.76–5.60); toddlers (p-value < 0.001, OR = 5.07, 95% CI = 4.19–6.14); preschoolers (p-value < 0.001, OR = 2.72, 95% CI = 2.18–3.42); and elderly (p-value = 0.004, OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.10-1.69). The detection rate of RSV virus before the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly higher than after (p-value < 0.001, OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.43–2.21). Data from this study can help prepare medical laboratories to cope with potential future RSV outbreaks.
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