Pediatric hospitalization of acute respiratory tract infections with Human Bocavirus in Hong Kong.
BACKGROUND
Respiratory tract infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Human Bocavirus (HBoV) has recently been identified and implicated as an aetiologic agent of lower respiratory tract infection in children.


OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of HBoV and clinical manifestations of children hospitalized for acute respiratory illness in Hong Kong were determined.


METHODS
1906 non-duplicate nasopharyngeal aspirates obtained from children aged >1 month to 15 years of age hospitalized with respiratory tract infections during a 13-month period were investigated for the presence of HBoV by PCR. These children were admitted to the general pediatric wards in a teaching and tertiary Hong Kong hospital in a prospective study for surveillance of acute respiratory illness.


RESULTS
Human Bocavirus was detected in 5.0% (95/1906) of nasopharyngeal aspirates by PCR. The percentage was highest in 25-36 months group (12%). Seasonal distribution was noted from September to February. Co-infection with human parainfluenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus was present in 16% and 3% of cases, respectively. Gastrointestinal symptoms of vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea were common, besides respiratory symptoms and fever.


CONCLUSIONS
HBoV plays an important role in hospitalized children </=3 years with upper and lower respiratory tract infections in Hong Kong.
I P
Margaret
M
Department of Microbiology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong. margaretip@cuhk.edu.hk
Nelson
E Anthony S
EA
Cheuk
Edmund S C
ES
Leung
Eric
E
Sung
Rita
R
Chan
Paul K S
PK
D000367:Age Factors; D052660:Bocavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000821:virology; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000821:virology; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000821:virology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D012621:Seasons