Prevalence and Epidemiological Characteristics of Rhinovirus Infections in Young Children in C？te d’Ivoire, 2022-2023

Background: Rhinoviruses (HRV) are among the leading viral agents of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in young children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. However, data on their epidemiology in C？te d’Ivoire remain limited. This study aims to describe the prevalence, epidemiological profile, and seasonal patterns of HRV infections among children under five years of age from 2022 to 2023. Methods: This retrospective descriptive study analyzed 4480 nasopharyngeal specimens collected through the national influenza and respiratory virus surveillance network. Children presenting with Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) were tested by RT-qPCR. Demographic, clinical, and climatic data were statistically assessed to identify factors associated with HRV infection. Results: HRV prevalence was 4.1% (182/4480), with a significant increase between 2022 (3.3%) and 2023 (4.7%; p < 0.021). Most infections occurred in infants aged 0 - 12 months (67.6%). No significant association was found with sex or clinical severity (ILI vs. SARI). Fever was significantly more common among HRV-positive children (p < 0.001), while gastrointestinal symptoms were less frequent. HRV circulation exhibited clear seasonality, with peaks during months of high humidity and rainfall. Rainfall showed a significant positive correlation with HRV incidence (r = 0.58; p < 0.05). Conclusion: HRV is an important contributor to respiratory infections in Ivorian children, particularly infants. Its seasonal dynamics are strongly influenced by local climatic conditions. These findings underscore the need to strengthen surveillance and integrate climate indicators into ARI prevention strategies in tropical regions.