Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
Swab Sampling Method for the Detection of Human Norovirus on Surfaces
Published on: February 6, 2017
Human bocavirus in hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis in Russia from 2010 to 2012
Alexander Tymentsev1, Artem Tikunov1, Elena Zhirakovskaia2
1Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia.
Insights
Human bocavirus (HBoV) was detected in 1.2% of children with gastroenteritis in Novosibirsk, Russia. HBoV1 and HBoV2 were identified as sole agents, indicating their role in pediatric gastroenteritis.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Human bocavirus (HBoV) is recognized for causing respiratory illnesses and is found in stool samples of children with gastroenteritis.
- Understanding HBoV prevalence and genetic diversity in different regions is crucial for assessing its etiological role in pediatric gastroenteritis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of HBoV in children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Novosibirsk, Russia.
- To investigate the genetic diversity of HBoV strains circulating in the region.
- To evaluate the potential role of HBoV in the etiology of gastroenteritis among children.
Main Methods:
- A total of 5502 stool samples (5250 from children with gastroenteritis, 252 from healthy children) were collected between 2010 and 2012.
- Semi-nested PCR was employed to detect HBoV DNA in all collected stool samples.
- HBoV-positive samples were further tested for co-infections with other common viral and bacterial pathogens.
Main Results:
- HBoV DNA was detected in 1.2% of children with gastroenteritis, with prevalence rates varying annually (0.5% in 2012, 1.7% in 2011).
- The prevalence of HBoV in healthy children was 0.3%. HBoV strains were detected year-round, peaking in fall-winter, predominantly in children under one year old.
- All known HBoV genotypes were found, with HBoV2 becoming dominant over HBoV1 in 2011. HBoV1 and HBoV2 were identified as single agents in 45.8% and 60% of positive cases, respectively. Co-infections were most common with rotavirus A and norovirus GII.
Conclusions:
- Human bocavirus (HBoV) detection rates in pediatric gastroenteritis cases in Novosibirsk were low.
- However, HBoV1 and HBoV2 were identified as potential sole causative agents of gastroenteritis in this population.
- The study highlights the circulation of diverse HBoV genotypes and their seasonal patterns in the region.
Abstract:
Human bocavirus (HBoV) can cause respiratory diseases and is detectable in the stool samples of patients with gastroenteritis. To assess the prevalence of HBoV in children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Novosibirsk, Russia, as well as its genetic diversity and the potential role in the etiology of gastroenteritis in this region, a total of 5502 stool samples from children hospitalized with gastroenteritis from 2010 to 2012, n=5250, and healthy children, n=252, were assayed for the presence of HBoV DNA by semi-nested PCR. The HBoV DNA was found in 1.2% of stool samples from children, with gastroenteritis varying from 0.5% in 2012 to 1.7% in 2011. The prevalence of HBoV in healthy children was 0.3%. HBoV strains were detected throughout the year with an increase in the fall-winter season. In 87% of cases, HBoV was detected in children before 1 year of age. All known HBoV genetic variants have been detected in Novosibirsk, although with different prevalences: HBoV2>HBoV1>HBoV4>HBoV3. At the beginning of 2011, HBoV2 replaced HBoV1 as the most prevalent variant. The median age of children with detected HBoV1 was 8.3months, and that with HBoV2 was 8.0 months. All HBoV-positive samples were assayed for the presence of the rotaviruses A and C, norovirus GII, astrovirus, enterovirus, adenovirus F, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Shigella spp., and EIEC. HBoV1 and HBoV2 as single agents were found in 45.8% and 60% samples, respectively, although this difference was not statistically significant. In the case of co-infections, HBoV was most frequently recorded with rotavirus A and norovirus GII. This study demonstrated that the detection rate of HBoV in stool samples from children with gastroenteritis was low, although both HBoV1 and HBoV2 could be found as the sole agents in children with gastroenteritis in Novosibirsk.
