Caratteristiche della malattia da virus respiratorio sinciziale in bambini e bambini piccoli in Germania: dati dal network di sorveglianza incidenza dei patogeni dell'aria pediatrica, 2021-2023.

OBJECTIVES: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of morbidity globally, with most cases managed in outpatient settings. However, data characterizing the disease burden of non-severe RSV infections remain limited. METHODS: The prospective, multicenter pediatric airway pathogen incidence (PAPI) study enrolled 1450 children aged ≤24 months presenting with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in outpatient settings between October 2021 and April 2023. Clinical data, detected pathogens via multiplex polymerase chain reaction, and follow-up data were collected. RESULTS: Among enrolled patients 19.7% tested positive for RSV. RSV-positive patients (RSV+) exhibited distinct clini