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Human bocavirus infections in hospitalized Greek children

Katerina Haidopoulou1, Myrofora Goutaki, Lambrini Damianidou

  • 14 Department of Paediatrics, Papageorgiou Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

Archives of Medical Science : AMS
|February 29, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Human bocavirus (HBoV) infections in Greece were studied in hospitalized children with respiratory illness. HBoV was detected in 3.2% of cases, primarily affecting young children during colder months.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Pediatrics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Human bocavirus (HBoV) epidemiology is understudied in Greece.
  • This study aimed to define HBoV's epidemiological and clinical profile in Greek children with respiratory tract infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of human bocavirus (HBoV) infections in children hospitalized with respiratory tract infections in Greece.
  • To describe the clinical presentation and outcomes of HBoV infections in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Throat swab samples were collected from 370 children (14 days to 13 years) hospitalized with respiratory tract infections over one year.
  • Human bocavirus (HBoV) was detected using PCR targeting the NS1 gene.

Main Results:

  • Human bocavirus (HBoV) was detected in 3.2% (12/370) of the children studied.
  • Infections occurred during colder months, with a mean age of 1.8 years.
  • Common symptoms included fever, cough, and respiratory distress, primarily diagnosed as lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia and laryngotracheobronchitis.

Conclusions:

  • Human bocavirus (HBoV) infections are present in Greece, predominantly affecting young children.
  • HBoV accounted for 3.2% of acute respiratory disease hospitalizations in the studied pediatric population.
  • HBoV cases were observed from late autumn to early spring.
Abstract

Keywords:
childrenhuman bocavirusrespiratory infectionsrespiratory viruses

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