O-35 Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis in Tropical Areas: Example of a 12 years Analysis from French Caribbean Martinique Island
Author(s):
O Fléchelles, R Banydeen, M Dramé, F Najioullah
Year of Presentation:
2023
Objective: The main objective was to describe the seasonality of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) bronchiolitis epidemic and the clinical characteristics of hospitalized infants in Martinique. Based on few studies, epidemiology and seasonality of RSV bronchiolitis in the tropics seems different from temperate zones. Better knowledge of epidemic characteristics, could help us to improve care of the hospitalized infants in the Caribbean region.
Methods: Retrospective single-center observational study that included infants younger than 2 years of age hospitalized at the CHU Martinique for RSV-positive bronchiolitis from January 2007, to December 2018. Ethical considerations: Each legal representative was informed of the study by personal letter. The Institutional Review Board of the Martinique University Hospitals approved the study. Data were collected from the patient’s hospitalization report.
Results: In all, 1176 cases were included. Epidemics occurred during the rainy season, starting in September, peaking in October/November and ending in December/ January. A distinct seasonality trend was observed: epidemic magnitudes alternating biannually between high and lower incidence peaks. The duration of epidemics was 11 ± 3 weeks. Median hospital stay was 4 days (IQR 3-7 days). Median age was 3 months (IQR 2-7 months), with 14.1% of patients born prematurely, 2.5% presenting with congenital heart disease and 41.1% requiring oxygen therapy.
Conclusion: In Martinique, RSV bronchiolitis epidemic in infants occurs during the rainy season (September to January) with a regular biannual pattern. Knowledge of local seasonality has enabled clinicians to better anticipate hospital organization before epidemic (reinforcement of prevention measures and timing of monoclonal antibodies prophylaxis).