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Rapid diagnosis by immunofluorescence (IF) has enabled us to study the epidemiology of acute viral respiratory diseases in infants admitted to the CHRU at Caen between January 1980 and December 1982. 809 nasal aspiration samples were examined. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) was recovered in 36% of cases. These were observed during the four winter outbreaks which occurred during the study period and were extensive in 1980-1981 and 1982-1983. A virus was demonstrated in 13.5% of the 515 RSV negative specimens: 25 Rhinovirus, 21 Myxovirus parainfluenzae 3, 19 Adenovirus, 3 Myxovirus influenzae A, 2 Myxovirus influenzae B. RSV is the predominant pathogen as it is the most frequent and is responsible for more severe forms. However, epidemics vary from year to year and from one town to another. Rhinovirus, Myxovirus parainfluenzae 3 and Adenovirus infections are less frequent. Rhinovirus infections occur throughout the year and are certainly underestimated as isolation of the virus is difficult. Most Myxovirus parainfluenzae 3 cases occur in winter, and IF largely facilitates their diagnosis. Adenovirus infections are endemic and serotype 7 is frequent.

Clinical and biochemical data of 22 children admitted from May 1982 to May 1983 were reviewed to study their values for early diagnosis of pertussis. Direct immunofluorescence for Bordetella pertussis was positive in 9 of the 12 confirmed cases and seems to be a reliable test.