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An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
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Human bocavirus and KI/WU polyomaviruses in pediatric intensive care patients

Alma C van de Pol1, Tom F W Wolfs, Nicolaas J G Jansen

  • 1Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. a.c.vandepol-3@umcutrecht.nl

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|February 26, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Human bocavirus and polyomaviruses (KI and WU) were evaluated in pediatric intensive care patients. Prevalence was similar in children with and without lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), suggesting these viruses are common in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Human bocavirus and polyomaviruses (KI and WU) are emerging viral pathogens.
  • Their role in pediatric lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) requires further investigation.
  • Understanding viral prevalence in intensive care settings is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of human bocavirus and KI/WU polyomaviruses.
  • To compare viral detection rates in pediatric intensive care patients with and without LRTI.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of respiratory samples from pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients.
  • Molecular detection methods (e.g., PCR) were used to identify target viruses.
  • Patients were categorized into groups based on the presence or absence of LRTI.

Main Results:

  • Human bocavirus was detected in 5.1% of patients with LRTI and 4.8% without LRTI.
  • KI polyomavirus was not detected in patients with LRTI but found in 4.8% of those without LRTI.
  • WU polyomavirus prevalence was 2.6% in patients with LRTI and 2.4% in those without LRTI.

Conclusions:

  • Human bocavirus and WU polyomavirus are frequently detected in pediatric intensive care patients, irrespective of LRTI status.
  • KI polyomavirus detection was limited to patients without LRTI in this cohort.
  • These findings highlight the common circulation of these viruses in critically ill children.

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