biostudies-literatureUnknown17(8)Low Y<h4>Objectives</h4> Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are one of the leading causes of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, there is limited surveillance data on the epidemiological burden of respiratory pathogens in tropical countries like Malaysia. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of respiratory pathogens causing ARIs among children aged <18 years old in Malaysia and their epidemiological characteristics. <h4>Methods</h4> Nasopharyngeal swab specimens received at 12 laboratories located in different states of Malaysia from 2015–2019 were studied. Detection of 18 respiratory pathogens were performed using multiplex PCR. <h4>Results</h4> Data from a total of 23,306 paediatric patients who presented with ARI over a five-year period was studied. Of these, 18538 (PloS onehttps://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9348681biostudies-literaturePrevalence of respiratory viruses among paediatric patients in acute respiratory illnesses in MalaysiaPMC9348681Wong SMuhammed MLow YLee EfalsePrevalence of respiratory viruses among paediatric patients in acute respiratory illnesses in Malaysia<h4>Objectives</h4> Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are one of the leading causes of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, there is limited surveillance data on the epidemiological burden of respiratory pathogens in tropical countries like Malaysia. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of respiratory pathogens causing ARIs among children aged <18 years old in Malaysia and their epidemiological characteristics. <h4>Methods</h4> Nasopharyngeal swab specimens received at 12 laboratories located in different states of Malaysia from 2015–2019 were studied. Detection of 18 respiratory pathogens were performed using multiplex PCR. <h4>Results</h4> Data from a total of 23,306 paediatric patients who presented with ARI over a five-year period was studied. Of these, 18538 (2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Jan2025-04-18T11:53:09.715Z2025-02-19T00:41:45.253ZS-EPMC9348681