Acute Respiratory Tract Infections among HospitalizedPalestinian Patients (2011–2016): A Retrospective Study
Date
2021-05-04
Authors
Abu Seir, Rania
Njoum, Wafa’
Najajrah, Rawan
Najjar, Dania
Ashour, Mariam
Asakra, Bassam
Samman, Nahla
Najjar, Osama
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Hindawi
Abstract
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are a major public health concern. (is study aims to investigate the profiles and epide-miological characteristics of acute RTIs and respiratory pathogens in Palestinian hospitalized patients. Clinical samples fromhospitalized patients with symptoms of acute RTIs admitted between January 2011 and December 2016 were referred to thePalestinian Central Public Health Laboratory (PHCL) to identify the causative pathogen. Patients’ demographic information andthe results of the molecular identification were retrieved from the electronic database at the PHCL. A total of 15413 patients withacute RTIs were hospitalized during the study period. (e causal agent was identified only in 28.7% of the patients. Overall,influenza viruses were the most common cause of RTIs among hospitalized Palestinian patients in the West Bank. Children andelderlies were the most affected with RTIs. (e elderly population (≥60 years old) had the highest rates. After influenza A virus,respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), andBordetella pertussis(B. pertussis) were the most common causes of acute RTIs amonghospitalized Palestinian patients. Children showed the highest hospitalization rates for RSV,B. pertussis,adenovirus, enterovirus,andStreptococcus pneumoniae.On the other hand, elderlies had the highest rates of influenza. Outbreaks of RTIs occurred mainlyduring winter (between December and March). (e resurgence ofB. pertussisin spite of vaccination is alarming and requiresfurther investigation.