[The occurrence of viral respiratory tract infections in small children in the season 1992-1993].

In the period October 1992 to June 1993, 361 hospitalized children, under 2 years of age were examined by immunofluorescence method for respiratory viruses. In 163 (54.2%) of cases viral etiology was established.

The immune response of small children by antibodies of different classes to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) proteins.

A group of 18 paired sera, obtained from RSV-infected children were assayed by Western-Blot for antibodies for RSV proteins in the immunoglobulin classes IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE and in the IgG subclasses. The IgG antibodies for the protein G were found in almost half of the sera tested, while in the other immunoglobulin classes the antibodies occurred in a much lower number of the sera. The antibodies for protein F1 were detected first of all in the IgG class and subclasses.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antibodies in different immunoglobulin classes in small children.

Percent of RSV antibodies in the individual immunoglobulin classes and IgG subclasses was determined by ELISA and the immune response to RSV infection was evaluated in children 0-2 years of age. In the first 6 months percent of sera containing IgG-RSV declined to reach minimal in the 7th-9th month, then it rose to 100% in children 2 years of age. Percent of positive IgM-RSV and IgA-RSV gradually increased with age.

[Etiologic profile of viral respiratory infections in small children during epidemic periods 1990-91 and 1991-92].

In periods from October 1990 to June 1991 and from September 1991 to June 1992, 551 hospitalized infants and small children were examined by immunofluorescence method for respiratory viruses. In 264 (47.9%) cases viral etiology was established.

[Respiratory viral infections in young children 1988-1990].

From October 1988 to June 1989 the studies on viral infections of respiratory tract were done in specimens taken from 461 children, aged 0-2 years. Similarly to the observations in previous epidemic seasons infections due to RS and parainfluenza type 3 viruses were dominated. These studies included also influenza type C and parainfluenza type 4 viruses with unknown epidemiology in Poland.