RESUMO
Acute respiratory infections are common cause of mortality during childhood. This study was designed to determine the incidence of adenovirus, parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus in respiratory infections by Multiplex PCR method. This study included 168 children under 2 years of age with clinical diagnosis of bronchiolitis. Nasopharyngeal specimens were taken and transferred to the virology laboratory in VTM transport medium. Following extraction of viral DNA and RNA, Multiplex RT-PCR was performed. From 168 specimens, 33 cases [19.6%] were infected with parainfluenza viruses, 18 cases [10.7%] with adenovirus and 63 cases [37.5%] with RSV. The rest of the specimens were negative for these viruses, which indicated that these specimens had been probably infected with other viral agents not investigated in this study, or with mycoplasma. No significant correlation was found between WBC count, ESR values, degree of air trapping, coryza, fever, cough, retraction rale, wheezing and the type of viral infection. Also no significant correlation was found based on age, sex or general condition of patients. Major causes of viral infections in this study were respectively respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], parainfluenza and adenovirus