Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is well recognized as the
single most important pathogen accounting for acute viral
infections of lower respiratory tract in infants and young
children. Outbreaks of RSV infections occur each year in
winter and early spring (L Pednealut et al. 1994 J Clin
Microbiol 32: 2861-2864). In Cuba, acute respiratory
diseases (ARD) constitute a major problem of health, and are
the first cause of morbidity and occupy the first place of
mortality in the context of all the infectious diseases, in
all groups of age. Since October 1994 an increase of medical
attention and admission due to ARD and bronchiolitis were
noticed in children below one year old in pediatrics hospitals
in Havana City.
