Abstract:
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory illness in all ages
but occurs more often in children under 2 year. This study evaluated the genetic
diversity of G protein gene in samples collected from petients who developed
influenza like illnesses while admitted at Kenyatta, New Nyanza and Mbagathi
District Hospitals then tested positive for RSV. nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal
samples were collected from patients with new-onset fever (≥38°C) and either cough
or sore throat, after being afebrile for at least three days in the wards. Specimen were
tested for RSV alongside other viruses using real time polymerase chain reaction
(RT-PCR).Those positive were further Subtyped as A or B using the same method.
Where subgroup was identified, the attachment G-protein was sequenced and
phylogenetically analyzed. Among 248 specimen tested, 37 (14.9%) were RSV
positive, 17(45.9%) sequenced successfully. Out of the 17, 9(53%) were RSVA
subtype, one being ON1 genotype and 8 NA1 genotype. The remaining 8(47%) were
RSV B subtype all genotyped as BA9 and over 80% of the isolates were genetically
related. Most positive specimen were from the male patients (59.5%) and from KNH
(59.5%).Those aged 5years and above had 79% less odds of contracting RSV than
those aged 2 years, Both RSV subtype A and B were observed to be circulating
during the study period. The RSV A was circulating in two genotypes, ON1 and
NA1, while all RSV B were of genotype BA9 with 69% of the isolates clustering by
time and place. The latter findings suggest presence of nosocomial transmission of
RSV in the hospitals. This study concludes that Infection control intervention should
target those below 2years and recommends further research targeting healthcare
workers and visitors who come to see patients in the hospitals.
