Trends of respiratory syncytial virus sub-types in children hospitalised at a tertiary care centre in Jaipur during 2012–2014

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes high mortality and morbidity in infants. The study was planned to determine the trends of RSV sub-types in hospitalised children. Nasopharyngeal aspirate and throat swabs were collected from the hospitalised children up to 5 years of age. Viral nucleic acid was extracted using easyMAG automated extraction system, and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed. Total positivity for RSV was found to be 25.40%, predominantly for RSV B (20.03%), followed by RSV A (2.90%) and RSV AB mixed infections (2.47%). Palivizumab prophylaxis can be planned to be given to infants from post-monsoon to end of winter.