Respiratory syncytial virus epidemiology in a birth cohort from Kilifi district, Kenya: infection during the first year of life.

We report estimates of incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection during the first year of life for a birth cohort from rural, coastal Kenya. A total of 338 recruits born between 21 January 2002 and 30 May 2002 were monitored for symptoms of respiratory infection by home visits and hospital referrals. Nasal washings were screened by use of immunofluorescence. From 311 child-years of observation (cyo), 133 RSV infections were found, of which 48 were lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) and 31 were severe LRTIs, resulting in 4 hospital admissions. There were 121 primary RSV infections (248 cyo), of which 45 were LRTIs and 30 were severe LRTIs, resulting in 4 hospital admissions; there was no association with age. RSV contributed significantly to total LRTI disease in this vaccine-target group.