Respiratory syncytial virus groups A and B in Porto Alegre, Brazil, from 1990 to 1995 and 1998

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2001 Feb;96(2):155-8. doi: 10.1590/s0074-02762001000200003.

Abstract

We analyzed the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) groups and their epidemiological pattern that were detected over the course of seven years in southern Brazil. The two RSV groups co-circulated each year, but frequencies of groups A and B varied both between and within yearly outbreaks. In 1991, group A predominated over group B (p=0.0016). RSV outbreaks analyzed showed a temperature-dependent pattern and no association with rainfall, similarly to other countries from southern South America. Knowledge of the variants is important in terms of both diagnosis and definition of a vaccine composition.

MeSH terms

  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Nasopharynx / virology
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / classification
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Seasons
  • Temperature