Acute respiratory infections in children



Hart, Charles Anthony and Cuevas, Luis E ORCID: 0000-0002-6581-0587
(2007) Acute respiratory infections in children. Master of Philosophy thesis, University of Liverpool.

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Abstract

<jats:p>Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the leading cause of mortality in children under five years of age worldwide and most of these deaths are due to bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Recent evidence from studies using genome detection systems such as polymerase chain reaction or micro-array technology show that, in most cases, these deaths are caused or precipitated by viruses. In this paper, the definitions of upper and lower respiratory tract infections are reviewed. The principal signs of disease severity and the burden of viruses as causes of ARI are described. The prominent role of Respiratory Syncytial Virus is stressed, with data from epidemiological and clinical studies. Other important viral pathogens, such as Human Metapneumovirus, Human coronaviruses and Influenza are examined. The role of newly described viruses, such as bocavirus, is also discussed. The impact of HIV/AIDS in ARI burden and presentation assessed and the weight of Pneumocystis jiroveci and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections is recognized. It is concluded that there is an urgent need to improve diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, as well as macro and micronutrient intake of children of the world, particularly in developing countries.</jats:p>

Item Type: Thesis (Master of Philosophy)
Additional Information: Date: 2010-08 (completed)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Acute respiratory infection, Respiratory syncytial virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Subjects: ?? R1 ??
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Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 13 Sep 2011 14:24
Last Modified: 16 Dec 2022 04:35
DOI: 10.17638/00002755
Related URLs:
Supervisors:
  • McNamara, Paul
  • Fonceca, Angela
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/2755