Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026
Absorption of Nasal and Bronchial Fluids: Precision Sampling of the Human Respiratory Mucosa and Laboratory Processing of Samples
Published on: January 21, 2018
Rhinovirus-Associated Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Hospitalized Adult Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Rongling Zhang1, Xiao Shang2, Chunlei Wang3
1Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Background:
The role of human rhinovirus (HRV) in adult lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) remains controversial due to limited direct evidence of alveolar tropism and age-specific clinical characterization.
Objectives:
To determine HRV's clinical impact, validate its capacity to infect lower respiratory tract cells, and identify predictors for HRV-associated pneumonia in adults.
Methods:
In this retrospective study (January 2020-December 2023), all hospitalized adults screened for HRV via RT-PCR were enrolled for analysis. In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)-HRV-RNA-positive patients with available transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) or transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) specimens, immunofluorescence (IF) staining was used to assess infection of LRT cells. Multivariable logistic regression analyzed demographics, comorbidities, and symptoms.
Results:
HRV was detected in 4.6% (437/9544) of patients, with bimodal seasonal peaks (February-April and September-November). Co-infection occurred in 49.0% (214/437), predominantly bacteria (34.1%) and viruses (25.7%). Among the 437 HRV-positive patients, 224 cases complicated with pneumonia, but only 34 (7.8%) met the diagnostic criteria for simple viral pneumonia. Multivariate analysis identified male (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.04-6.99, P = .042), fever (OR 3.79, 95% CI 1.52-9.44, P = .004), and cough (OR 7.33, 95% CI 1.64-32.83, P = .009) as independent predictors of simple rhinovirus pneumonia. IF staining confirmed HRV VP3 protein in TBLB/TBCB specimens in 61.5% (8/13) of cases, resolving debates about HRV's LRT cells tropism.
Conclusions:
This study provides the first histological evidence of HRV's LRT cells infection in immunocompetent adults. Despite high co-infection rates, HRV independently drives pneumonia, particularly in males and those with fever or cough.
More Related Videos
04:32Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
Published on: June 28, 2018
09:01An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Published on: December 10, 2013
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:31Common Respiratory Disorders
Upper respiratory disorders impact the airways above the vocal cords, encompassing areas like the nose, sinuses, and throat. Various conditions fall under this category, including the common cold and allergic rhinitis. These disorders can stem from several causes,...
01:17Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
01:30Acute Respiratory Failure-III
01:21Acute Respiratory Failure-II
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include: