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Published on: February 23, 2014

Impact of rhinoviruses on pediatric community-acquired pneumonia

Susanna Esposito1, Cristina Daleno, Claudia Tagliabue

  • 1Department of Maternal and Pediatric Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Commenda 9, 20122, Milano, Italy.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases : Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
|November 30, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Rhinoviruses (RVs) are a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children of all ages, with RV-A being the most prevalent strain. Clinical relevance appears mild to moderate, regardless of RV type or co-infections.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a significant cause of childhood illness.
  • Rhinoviruses (RVs) are known respiratory pathogens, but their specific role in pediatric CAP requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of rhinoviruses (RVs) in children diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
  • To determine the association of different RV groups (A, B, C) and co-infections with CAP severity in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • Respiratory secretions from 592 children with radiographically confirmed CAP were analyzed using RVP Fast assay.
  • Rhinovirus-positive samples were further characterized by real-time polymerase chain reaction and sequencing.
  • Patient data, including age and viral co-infections, were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Rhinoviruses were identified in 172 out of 592 children (29.0%) with CAP.
  • RVs were detected across all age groups: 36.3% in children <1 year, 27.3% in those aged 1-3 years, and 26.3% in children ≥4 years.
  • Rhinovirus group A was the most common type (49.1%), followed by group C (31.1%) and group B (10.1%). RVs were found as single agents in 58.3% of cases and with co-infections in 40.7%.

Conclusions:

  • Rhinoviruses are a frequent cause of community-acquired pneumonia in children across a wide age range.
  • Rhinovirus group A is the predominant strain associated with pediatric CAP.
  • The clinical presentation of RV-associated CAP appears mild to moderate, with no significant differences observed between RV groups or single versus co-infections.

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