Prospective study of Human Bocavirus (HBoV) infection in a pediatric university hospital in Germany 2005/2006.
BACKGROUND
Human Bocavirus (HBoV), a new species of the genus parvovirus newly detected in 2005, seems to be a worldwide distributed pathogen among children with respiratory tract infection (prevalence 2%-18%). Recently published retrospective studies and one prospective birth cohort study suggest that HBoV-primary infection occurs in infants.


METHODS
Prospective single center study over one winter season (November 2005-May 2006) with hospitalized children without age restriction using PCR-based diagnostic methods.


RESULTS
HBoV DNA was detected in 11 (2.8%) of 389 nasopharyngeal aspirates from symptomatic hospitalized children (median age 9.0 months; range: 3-17 months). RSV, HMPV, HCoV, and Influenza B were detected in 13.9% (n=54), 5.1% (n=20), 2.6% (n=10), and 1.8% (n=7), respectively. There was no influenza A DNA detected in any of the specimens. The clinical diagnoses were acute wheezing (bronchitis) in four patients, radiologically confirmed pneumonia in six patients (55%) and croup syndrome in one patient. In five to six patients with pneumonia, HBoV was the only pathogen detected. While no patient had to be mechanically ventilated, 73% needed oxygen supplementation. In four (36.4%) patients at least one other viral pathogen was found (plus RSV n=3; 27.3%; Norovirus n=1; 9.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
HBoV causes severe respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. Its role as a copathogen and many other open questions has to be defined in further prospective studies.
Völz
Sebastian
S
Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Schildgen
Oliver
O
Klinkenberg
Dennis
D
Ditt
Vanessa
V
Müller
Andreas
A
Tillmann
Ramona L
RL
Kupfer
Bernd
B
Bode
Udo
U
Lentze
Michael J
MJ
Simon
Arne
A
D052660:Bocavirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000821:virology; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D012621:Seasons