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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Infection of Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells Grown at an Air-Liquid Interface to Characterize Human Coronavirus-Host Interactions
Published on: September 22, 2023
Human bocavirus commonly involved in multiple viral airway infections
Andreas Christensen1, Svein Arne Nordbø, Sidsel Krokstad
1Department of Medical Microbiology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Norway. andreas.christensen@stolav.no <andreas.christensen@stolav.no>
Insights
Human bocavirus (HBoV) is common in Norwegian children with airway infections. High HBoV viral load correlated with fewer co-infections and more lower respiratory tract infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Virology
- Respiratory medicine
Background:
- Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a recently identified pathogen associated with acute respiratory tract infections in children.
- This study investigated the prevalence of HBoV in Norwegian pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the occurrence of HBoV in Norwegian children presenting with airway infections.
- To evaluate the utility of semiquantitative PCR for assessing HBoV clinical relevance.
Main Methods:
- Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from 376 children admitted to the Department of Pediatrics during the winter season 2006/2007.
- Real-time PCR was employed to detect HBoV and 16 other respiratory pathogens.
Main Results:
- HBoV was detected in 12% (45/376) of the samples, with stable prevalence throughout the study period.
- Multiple viral infections were common (78%), with respiratory syncytial virus, enterovirus, and human metapneumovirus frequently codetected.
- High HBoV viral loads were associated with fewer co-infections and a higher incidence of lower respiratory tract infections.
Conclusions:
- HBoV is frequently detected in pediatric nasopharyngeal aspirates in Norway.
- Co-infections are common in HBoV-infected children.
- Semiquantitative PCR provides valuable insights into the clinical significance of HBoV infections.
Background:
Human bocavirus (HBoV) was recently discovered in children with acute respiratory tract infections. We have included a PCR for HBoV in a study on airway infections in children.
Objectives:
To study the occurrence of HBoV in Norwegian children, and to evaluate the results of a semiquantitative PCR.
Study Design:
During a 4-month period in the winter season 2006/2007 we collected nasopharyngeal aspirations from children who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics. All samples were examined for 17 agents with real-time PCR.
Results:
HBoV was detected in 45 of 376 samples (12%). The occurrence of HBoV was stable during the study period. Multiple viral infections were present in 78% of the samples (42% double, 20% triple and 16% quadruple infections). RS-virus, enterovirus and human metapneumovirus were the most frequently codetected agents. In samples with a high load for HBoV, significantly fewer multiple infections were found than in the other samples. Eighty-eight percent of the 25 patients with HBoV recorded as either the only or the dominating virus, and 50% of the other patients, had lower respiratory tract infection. The difference was statistically significant.
Conclusions:
HBoV was frequently detected in nasopharyngeal aspirates from children with airway infections in Norway. Multiple viral infections were common among the HBoV-infected patients. Semiquantitative PCR results may be useful for interpretation of clinical relevance.
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