Human Bocavirus in Children with Respiratory Tract Infection: Molecular and Serological Detection

Abstract

Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a parvovirus identified mostly in children under the age of two who have a respiratory illness. The goal of this study was to use molecular and serological techniques to investigate the prevalence of HBoV as well as the clinical characteristics of Iraqi children with respiratory tract infections (RTIs). The study included 91 children ranging in age from 1–36 months. Nasopharyngeal/throat swab samples were collected, processed and tested for HBoV DNA detection by Polymerase Chain Reaction. In addition, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used to detect HBoV infection indirectly by measuring HBoV-IgM antibodies in serum. HBoV was found in 9.9% and 16.5% of samples, respectively, using the PCR and ELISA techniques. The ELISA test demonstrated a sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of 90.2%, 77.8% and 97.4%, respectively, when compared to PCR. HBoV infection was associated with clinical symptoms such as vomiting and asthma (P<0.05). The PCR technique was effective in detecting persistent HBoV infections in hospitalised children; however, combining it with an ELISA test improved the accuracy of diagnosing acute HBoV infections (rather than bystander/passenger RTIs) by assessing specific IgM antibodies in serum. KEYWORDS Chest infection, HBoV, ELISA, PCR, under-five children, Iraq