Air quality, meteorological variability and pediatric respiratory syncytial virus infections in Singapore.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of respiratory illness among children. While studies have focused on the air-quality and climate dependence of RSV infections, few have been undertaken in South-East Asia where the burden of respiratory illness is among the highest across the globe. This study aimed to determine the relationships between climatic factors and air quality with RSV infections among children in Singapore.

The influence of air quality and meteorological variations on influenza A and B virus infections in a paediatric population in Singapore.

Introduction: Influenza is an important cause of paediatric illness across the globe. However, information about the relationships between air pollution, meteorological variability and paediatric influenza A and B infections in tropical settings is limited.

Methods: We analysed all daily reports of influenza A and B infections in children <5 years old obtained from the largest specialist women and children's hospital in Singapore.

Climate variability and seasonal patterns of paediatric parainfluenza infections in the tropics: An ecological study in Singapore.

Objectives: Evidence of the relationship between climate variability, air pollution and human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) infections has been inconsistent. We assessed this in a paediatric population from a highly urbanized tropical city-state.

Methods: We analysed all reports of HPIV infections in children <5 years old obtained from a major specialist women and children's hospital in Singapore.

Trends in Respiratory Virus Infections During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Singapore, 2020.

This cross-sectional study assessed the changes in respiratory virus prevalence in 2020 vs 2019 associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clinical Utility of Buccal Swabs for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Detection in Coronavirus Disease 2019-Infected Children.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detected from at least 1 buccal specimen in 9 of 11 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-infected children (81.8%). Viral loads in buccal specimens were substantially lower than those in nasopharyngeal specimens.

Pragmatic and evidence-based approach to paediatric cerebrospinal fluid reference limits for white cell count and concentrations of total protein and glucose.

Background: It is often impractical for each laboratory to establish its own paediatric reference intervals. This is particularly true for specimen types collected using invasive procedures, for example, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Methods: Published CSF reference intervals for white cell count, and concentrations of total protein and glucose were reviewed by stakeholders in a paediatric hospital.

Imaging analysis of human metapneumovirus-infected cells provides evidence for the involvement of F-actin and the raft-lipid microdomains in virus morphogenesis.

Backgound: Due to difficulties of culturing Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) much of the current understanding of HMPV replication can be inferred from other closely related viruses. The slow rates of virus replication prevent many biochemical analyses of HMPV particles. In this study imaging was used to examine the process of HMPV morphogenesis in individually infected LLC-MK2 cells, and to better characterise the sites of HMPV assembly.

Evidence for the interaction of the human metapneumovirus G and F proteins during virus-like particle formation.

Background: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is now a major cause of lower respiratory infection in children. Although primary isolation of HMPV has been achieved in several different cell lines, the low level of virus replication and the subsequent recovery of low levels of infectious HMPV have hampered biochemical studies on the virus. These experimental methodologies usually require higher levels of biological material that can be achieved following HMPV infection.

Pertussis--an under-diagnosed disease with high morbidity in Singapore children.

Unlabelled: Since the introduction of the pertussis vaccine into the standard immunization program, very few cases of pertussis have been detected. In 2007, it was felt that the number of cases being admitted for pertussis had increased and this was verified on a retrospective review done from 2004 to 2007 of children diagnosed with pertussis in KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

Aim: To review the cases diagnosed with pertussis, the demographic profile and the outcome of these patients.

The incidence of human bocavirus infection among children admitted to hospital in Singapore.

Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a parvovirus, belonging to the genus Bocavirus. The virus was identified recently in Sweden, and has now been detected in several different countries. Although it is associated with lower respiratory tract infections in pediatric patients, the incidence of HBoV infection in a developed country in South East Asia, has not been examined.

Human metapneumovirus in children, Singapore.

Four hundred specimens were collected from pediatric patients hospitalized in Singapore; 21 of these specimens tested positive for human metapneumovirus (HMPV), with the A2 genotype predominating. A 5% infection rate was estimated, suggesting that HMPV is a significant cause of morbidity among the pediatric population of Singapore.

Acute respiratory symptoms in adults in general practice.

Background: Community studies have shown that approximately 30% of patients with acute respiratory tract symptoms have no identifiable infective aetiology. This may not be applicable in general practice.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the infective aetiology in patients who presented to primary care doctors with acute respiratory symptoms.

Staphylococcus lugdunensis carrying the mecA gene causes catheter-associated bloodstream infection in premature neonate.

A premature neonate had a catheter-associated bloodstream infection due to Staphylococcus lugdunensis. The MIC of oxacillin for the strain was >256 microg/ml, and the mecA gene of S. lugdunensis was detected by PCR.