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Severity and outcome associated with human coronavirus OC43 infections among children

Andréanne Jean1, Caroline Quach, Allison Yung

  • 1McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|January 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) typically causes upper respiratory infections in children. However, coinfection with other viruses can lead to severe lower respiratory tract illness, highlighting the importance of comprehensive viral testing.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Virology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Human coronaviruses (HCoVs) are common causes of the cold.
  • Human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) is a prevalent subtype globally.
  • Emerging evidence suggests HCoV-OC43 can cause severe lower respiratory tract illnesses in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the epidemiology of HCoV-OC43 in a pediatric population.
  • To characterize clinical presentations, outcomes, and disease severity.
  • To identify risk factors for severe HCoV-OC43 infection.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of pediatric patients with HCoV-OC43 respiratory specimens (December 2009-December 2010).
  • Comparison of cases with two HCoV-OC43-negative controls.
  • Review of clinical data, comorbidities, outcomes, and disease severity.

Main Results:

  • HCoV-OC43 accounted for 1.8% of tested specimens and 4.2% of identified respiratory viruses.
  • Common symptoms included fever (78%), cough (67%), and upper respiratory tract symptoms (57%).
  • Coinfection was associated with lower respiratory tract infections but not increased hospitalization or mortality.

Conclusions:

  • HCoV-OC43 infections in this pediatric population primarily caused upper respiratory tract illness.
  • Lower respiratory tract involvement can occur, particularly in cases with coinfection by other respiratory viruses.
Abstract

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