ABSTRACT
Objective:
To evaluate the prevalence of pathogens in the upper respiratory tract according to age at a tertiary care hospital in the city of São Paulo.
Methods:
A total of 6,144 biological material tests from upper respiratory airways were analyzed: 740 bacterial cultures, 726 virus screenings and 4,678 rapid tests for S. pyogenes.
Results:
The most frequently found etiological agent was respiratory syncytial virus (29.6%; 215/726). The main agents detected per age groups were: respiratory syncytial virus (25.34%; 184/726) in patients aged 28 days-3 years; S. pyogenes (9.5%; 70/740) in 3-12 year-old children; influenza virus (8.8%; 64/726) in adults (18-59 years).
Conclusions:
The etiologic agents of upper respiratory infections vary according to age and imply diverse clinical and therapeutic management.
Keywords:
Respiratory tract infections/pathology; Respiratory syncytial viruses; Streptococcus pyogenes
