Elsevier

Journal of Clinical Virology

Volume 58, Issue 1, September 2013, Pages 216-220
Journal of Clinical Virology

Patient characteristics and severity of human rhinovirus infections in children

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcv.2013.06.042Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

It is increasingly recognized that human rhinoviruses (HRV) can be associated with severe infections. However, conflicting results have been reported on the relative prevalence and severity of the three HRV species.

Objectives

The relative prevalence and clinical characteristics of HRV-A, B and C, in children attending a South London teaching hospital were investigated retrospectively.

Study design

Children aged <16 years with episodes of respiratory tract infections and detectable entero/rhinovirus RNA in respiratory samples between November 2009 and December 2010 were investigated. Retrospective case review was performed and patients’ characteristics recorded.

Results

Entero/rhinoviruses were the commonest viral pathogens (498/2316; 21.5%). Amongst 204 infection episodes associated with entero/rhinovirus, 167 were typed HRV, HRV-C was the most prevalent (99/167, 59.3%) followed by HRV-A (60/167; 35.9%) and HRV-B (8/167, 4.8%). The severity spectrum of HRV-A and HRV-C infections were similar and affected all parts of the respiratory tract. Co-pathogens were observed in 54 (26.5%) episodes. Severity was increased in patients with non-viral co-pathogens and those with an underlying respiratory condition. Univariate and multiple regression analyses of potential prognostic variables including age, co-pathogens and underlying respiratory illnesses showed that mono-infection with HRV-C, as compared with other HRV species, was associated with more severe disease in young children <3 years.

Conclusions

HRV-C was the most prevalent species and on its own was associated with severe disease in children <3 years. The association between infection with HRV species and clinical presentation is complex and affected by many confounding factors.

Abbreviations

5′NCR
5′noncoding region
HDU
High Dependency Unit
HMPV
human metapneumovirus
HRV
human rhinovirus
ICU
Intensive Care Unit
IQR
interquartile range
LRTI
lower respiratory tract infection
PIV
parainfluenzaviruses
RSV
respiratory syncytial viruses
RTI
respiratory tract infection
URTI
upper respiratory tract infection

Keywords

Human rhinoviruses
Co-pathogens
Severity
Young children

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