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Updated: Mar 13, 2026
An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Published on: December 10, 2013
Human enterovirus and rhinovirus infections are associated with otitis media in a prospective birth cohort study
Elina Seppälä1, Saara Sillanpää2, Noora Nurminen1
1School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Lääkärinkatu 1, FIN-33520, Tampere, Finland.
Insights
Human enteroviruses (HEVs) and rhinoviruses (HRVs) are common in infants. HEV and HRV infections in children were linked to a higher risk of acute otitis media (AOM), suggesting a role in its development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Human enteroviruses (HEVs) and rhinoviruses (HRVs) are implicated in acute otitis media (AOM).
- The role of these common childhood viruses in AOM pathogenesis requires further investigation, particularly in prospective cohort studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between HEV and HRV infections and the incidence of AOM in a birth cohort.
- To identify specific age windows where viral positivity correlates with increased AOM risk.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 286 healthy infants was followed from birth to 2 years.
- Monthly stool samples were analyzed for HRV and HEV RNA via RT-PCR.
- Clinical symptoms, including AOM episodes, were recorded via questionnaires.
Main Results:
- 610 AOM episodes occurred. HRV and HEV RNA were detected in 9.8% and 6.8% of samples, respectively.
- HEV positivity peaked at 12-24 months, HRV at 3-6 months.
- AOM risk increased with HEV positivity at 6-12 months (OR 2.2) and HRV positivity at 18-24 months (OR 2.3).
Conclusions:
- HRV and HEV infections are prevalent in early childhood.
- These viruses may independently contribute to the pathogenesis of AOM, as suggested by increased AOM risk in infected children.
Background:
Human enteroviruses (HEVs) and rhinoviruses (HRVs) have been linked to acute otitis media (AOM).
Objectives:
The present study evaluates the aforementioned association in a birth cohort setting.
Study Design:
The cohort included 286 healthy infants (191 boys) followed from birth up to the age of 2 years in the Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention study in Finland. Stool samples were collected monthly and analyzed for the presence of HRV and HEV RNA using RT-PCR. Clinical symptoms were recorded by a questionnaire every 3-6 months.
Results:
Altogether 610 AOM episodes were reported during the follow-up. 9.8% of the stool samples were positive for HRV and 6.8% for HEV. HRV positivity peaked at the age of 3-6 months declining gradually after this age, whereas HEV positivity peaked later, at the age of 12-24 months. The risk of AOM was increased in children who were HEV positive at least once at the age of 6-12 months (OR 2.2 [95%CI 1.1-4.2], P=0.023) or who were HRV positive at least once at the age of 18-24 months (OR 2.3 [95%CI 1.0-5.2], P=0.042). Having an older sibling, short breast-feeding and maternal smoking during pregnancy were also significantly associated with AOM.
Conclusions:
HRV and HEV infections are frequent during the first months of life. The observed trend for increased risk of AOM in HRV and HEV positive children is in line with the results from hospital series suggesting that these viruses may play an independent role in the pathogenesis of AOM.
