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Updated: May 15, 2025
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
Viral Infections among Hospitalised Children during the COVID-19 Outbreak in a Tertiary Hospital in Turkey:
Ilkay Özgen Sari1, Leyla Gizem Bolaç Özyilmaz1, Ezgi Günyüz Türe1
1Department of Pediatry, Sancaktepe İlhan Varank Research and Training Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Human bocavirus (HBoV) spread more easily than SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic, bypassing masks. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) must target both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses for effective epidemic control.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were vital for controlling SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Respiratory viruses continued to affect hospitalized children despite NPIs.
- This study investigated viral pathogens in pediatric patients during the pandemic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect viral pathogens using respiratory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panels in hospitalized pediatric patients.
- To compare pandemic findings with pre-pandemic data.
- To assess the impact of NPIs on viral transmission in children.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study included 138 hospitalized pediatric patients with respiratory infections (October-December 2022).
- Patients were categorized into three age groups: <1 year, 1-5 years, and 5-18 years.
- Statistical analyses compared hospitalization duration, pathogens, and laboratory values across age groups.
Main Results:
- PCR tests were positive in 64.5% of patients.
- Human bocavirus (HBoV) showed significant age-related detection differences, peaking in the 13-60 month group.
- HBoV and RSV infections were associated with longer hospital stays.
Conclusions:
- Human bocavirus (HBoV), a non-enveloped virus, demonstrated higher transmissibility than enveloped viruses like SARS-CoV-2, potentially bypassing FFP2 masks.
- Current NPIs may be less effective against non-enveloped viruses.
- Future NPI strategies should encompass both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses for comprehensive epidemic and pandemic management.
Background:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, before vaccines were available, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as masks and hand hygiene were crucial in controlling SARS-CoV-2 transmission. However, various respiratory viruses continued to infect paediatric patients. This study aimed to detect viral pathogens using respiratory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panel among hospitalised paediatric patients during the pandemic, compare these findings with pre-pandemic data and assess the impact of NPIs.
Subject And Methods:
From October 2022 to December 2022, 138 out of 345 hospitalised paediatric patients with respiratory infections were included in this retrospective cohort study. The patients were divided into three age groups: <1 year, 1-5 years and 5-18 years 0-12, 12-60 and 60-216 months, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the hospitalisation duration, pathogens and laboratory values across these groups.
Results:
PCR tests were positive in 89 patients (64.5%) and negative in 49 patients (35.5%). Human bocavirus (HBoV) was the only pathogen showing significant age-related differences, with higher detection in the 13-60 month age group. Patients with HBoV and RSV had notably longer hospital stays.
Conclusion:
The study found that HBoV, a small, non-enveloped virus, was more easily transmitted than enveloped viruses like SARS-CoV-2, as it can bypass FFP2 masks. Therefore, NPIs should be designed to target both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses to effectively manage epidemics and pandemics.
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