RSV is the main cause of severe respiratory infections in infants and young children in Germany - data from the prospective, multicenter PAPI study 2021-2023.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the main causes of morbidity in infants and young children worldwide. Current data on RSV-associated disease burden in Germany before the introduction of new immunization strategies is lacking.

Methods

The PAPI study is a multicenter, prospective surveillance study of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in children aged ≤ 24 months in Germany.

Results

Data from 1607 children with LRTI hospitalized in twelve German hospitals between September 2021 and May 2023 were analyzed. Among these children, RSV was the most frequently detected pathogen (57.1%), followed by rhino/entero-, metapneumo- and parainfluenza virus. Children with RSV were significantly younger than those with LRTI of other causes (mean of 5.6 ± 

SUBMITTER: Wetzke M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12460574 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature