Worldwide Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) are leading
causes of hospitalization, morbidity and mortality in children. The aim of this study
was to identify viral pathogens responsible for SARI in northern Vietnam from 2011
to 2014. Methods: Throat swabs and tracheal aspirates were collected from SARI
patients according to WHO Guidelines. Thirteen different viral pathogens (Influenza
A(H1N)pdm09; A/H3N2; A/H5; A/H7 and B; Para influenza 1,2,3; RSV; HMPV;
Adeno; SARS-CoV and Rhino) were tested by conventional/ real-time RT-PCR. Results: During study period, 975 samples were collected and tested. More than
thirty per cent (32.1%, 313 samples) showed evidence of infection with influenza
viruses; contained A/H3N2 (48 samples), A(H1N1)pdm09 (221samples) , influenza
B (42 samples) and co-infection of A(H1N1)pdm09 or A/H3N2 and influenza B ( 2
samples). Other respiratory pathogens were detected in 101samples as : Rhinovirus in
73 samples, Adenovirus (10 samples), hMPV (9 samples) , Parainfluenza 3( 5
samples ) , Parainfluenza 2 (3 samples ), RSV (1 samples). No influenza A/H5, A /H7
or SARS-CoV were detected. Conclusion: Respiratory viral infection, particularly
Influenza and Rhino viruses were associated with high rates of SARI hospitalized,
and future studies correlating clinical aspects are needed to inform interventions
including targeted vaccination.