Molecular Investigation of Hpiv-1 and Hpiv-3  Viral Types in Patients with Seasonal Respiratory  Infections in Iraq

Asmaa Haseeb  Hwaid

Asmaa Haseeb Hwaid PhD in Virology/ Microbiology, Department of Biology, College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Diyala, Iraq

Keywords: Human parainfluenza virus type 1, 3, Children, RTIs, Diyala.

Abstract

Background: Respiratory tract infections in paediatric and adult populations are associated with four Human Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) serotypes. HPIV-1 and HPIV-3 rank just behind Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV) as significant contributors to severe respiratory tract illnesses. Epidemiological studies employing molecular techniques globally have confirmed the frequent circulation of HPIV-1 and HPIV-3
in humans.
Aims: The focus of this study is to analyse the distribution of HPIV-1 and -3 in patients presenting with respiratory infections, and to analyse co-infection with HMPV and HRSV.Methods: The study was carried out between 2018 and 2020 in the Iraqi province of Diyala. Three hundred and twenty-three patients of various ages who were suspected of having Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) were enrolled in the study. A questionnaire created especially for this purpose was used to gather participant data. HPIVs were detected molecularly using the Real-Time PCR assay. Participant privacy was protected by obtaining verbal consent. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to perform statistical
analysis on the data.
Results: No HPIV-1 infections were found, and the overall molecular detection rate of HPIV-3 among the participants was 5.3% (17 cases). One (6.3%) participant tested positive for both RSV and HPIV-3, indicating co-infection. The highest detection rate (29.4%) was observed in November, and in children under five, with insignificant differences. Despite the fact that females had a higher HPIV-3 detection rate than males, the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: HPIV-3 is the predominant strain, and dual infection with RSV is possible but rare.

Keywords: Human Parainfluenza Virus Type 1 and 3, Children, RTIs, Diyala

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202612

How to cite this article:
Hwaid A H, Molecular Investigation of Hpiv-1 and Hpiv-3 Viral Types in Patients with Seasonal Respiratory Infections in Iraq. J Commun Dis. 2026;58(1):80-87.

References

Hijano DR, Maron G, Hayden RT. Respiratory viral infections in patients with cancer or undergoing

hematopoietic cell transplant. Front Microbiol. 2018;9:3097. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Li YT, Liang Y, Ling YS, Duan MQ, Pan L, Chen ZG. The spectrum of viral pathogens in children with severe

acute lower respiratory tract infection: a 3-year prospective study in the pediatric intensive care unit.

J Med Virol. 2019;91(9):1633-42. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Das S, Dunbar S, Tang YW. Laboratory diagnosis of respiratory tract infections in children–the state of the

art. Front Microbiol. 2018;9:2478. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Gottlieb J. Community-acquired respiratory viruses. Curr Opin Organ Transplant. 2019;24(3):311-7. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Henrickson KJ. Parainfluenza viruses. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2003;16(2):242-64. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]