Reemergence of human parainfluenza virus serotype 1 (HPIV-1) as the predominant causal agent of acute respiratory infections in children during an outbreak in Lambayeque, Peru

Aguilar-Gamboa F.R.; Aparicio-Sigueñas J.E.; Chiroque M.V. · Gaceta Medica Boliviana (2024) · DOI: 10.47993/gmb.v47i2.904

Resumen

HPIV is an important pediatric respiratory pathogen that can cause acute respiratory infection (ARI) hospitalizations and has recently been associated with severe pneumonias, with mortality rates similar to influenza. However, outbreak reports for this virus are infrequent. Follow-up was conducted on 4 pediatric ARI cases during an outbreak in November-December 2023 in Lambayeque, Peru. Clinical, laboratory and imaging findings were analyzed. Three children required hospitalization, while all presented with upper respiratory symptoms of cough, rhinorrhea and difficulty breathing, plus conjunctivitis. Exams showed pulmonary infiltrates compatible with viral pneumonia. Direct immunofluorescence testing identified HPIV-1 in all cases. This outbreak showed the reemergence of HPIV-1 as the predominant causal agent of pediatric pneumonias, likely due to a temporary decrease in herd immunity from the pandemic. Timely recognition of HPIV-1 is key for proper clinical management and control of childhood respiratory morbidity by avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use.