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Rhinovirus associated with severe lower respiratory tract infections in children

Janice K Louie1, Arup Roy-Burman, Lilly Guardia-Labar

  • 1California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA. Janice.louie@edph.ca.gov

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|March 5, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Rhinovirus, typically causing colds, was the most frequent cause of severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children admitted to intensive care. This finding suggests rhinovirus may be a more significant pathogen in severe pediatric respiratory illness than previously recognized.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Virology
  • Respiratory medicine

Background:

  • Rhinovirus is commonly linked to upper respiratory infections like the common cold and asthma exacerbations.
  • Its role in severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children has been historically underestimated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of rhinovirus in children hospitalized with severe LRTIs.
  • To identify risk factors and clinical characteristics associated with rhinovirus-related LRTIs in pediatric intensive care.

Main Methods:

  • A surveillance program identified children admitted to intensive care for LRTI.
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to test for 11 respiratory viruses and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
  • Clinical data, including age, underlying conditions, and treatment requirements, were collected for enrolled cases.

Main Results:

  • Rhinovirus was the most frequently detected pathogen, identified in 49% of 43 enrolled children.
  • Affected children were often young (median age 1.4 years), had underlying chronic illnesses (71%), and required mechanical ventilation (57%).
  • Pneumonia was a common diagnosis (48%), with a median hospitalization length of 7 days.

Conclusions:

  • Rhinovirus may be a more significant contributor to severe pediatric LRTIs than previously thought.
  • The findings are particularly relevant for the non-influenza, non-respiratory syncytial virus seasons.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenesis and management of severe rhinovirus infections in children.

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