Abstract

Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) including severe pneumonia are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age worldwide especially in developing countries. There is little information on the viral and bacterial etiology of severe pneumonia in Sudan where the disease burden is particularly high. The objectives of this study were to identify causative bacteriological and virological agents of ALRI among children attending Khartoum Pediatrics Emergency Hospital and to assess association between selected factors and ALRI. Investigations included an extensive etiological workup on nasopharyngeal aspirates. Immunofluorescence technique was used to detect the viral pathogens. Descriptive statistic was done and associations of variables were tested by Chi squire test. 123 patients were included in the study. Bacterial pathogens were detected in 49 patients (40%). Seventy three patients were tested for viral agents and 49 patients (67%) of them were detected. Mixed infection was found in 27%. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was found to be the predominant causative agent (32.8%). Streptococcus pneumoniae was detected in 11.4% of ALRI. Low birth weight, prematurity, congenital anomalies and malnutrition were found to be highly associated with viral infection.

Key words: Lower respiratory infections, viral respiratory disease, child emergency, pneumonia, Sudan child morbidities.