O.5.1 Prevalence of human bocavirus and KI/WU polyomaviruses in children with and without lower respiratory tract infection at the pediatric intensive care unit

Abstract

Purpose: Little is known about the prevalence of human bocavirus (HBoV), KI polyomavirus (KIPyV) and WU polyomavirus (WUPyV) in children with severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of HBoV, KIPyV and WUPyV in PICU patients with and without LRTI. Methods: For the LRTI group PICU patients under five years of age were included during three winters (2005–2008). For the control group PICU patients under 18 years of age admitted for other reasons than LRTI were included during one winter (2005–2006). Respiratory specimens of both groups were tested for HBoV, KIPyV and WUPyV by real-time PCR. Specimens in the LRTI group were also tested by real-time PCR for other respiratory viruses. Results: Respiratory specimens of 78 LRTI patients and 83 controls were examined. HBoV, KIPyV and WUPyV were detected in 4 (5.1%), 0 (0%), and 2 (2.6%) LRTI patients and 4 (4.8%), 4 (4.8%), and 2 (2.4%) controls, respectively. Multiple viruses were present in 3 out of 4 HBoV and 2 out of 2 WUPyV positive LRTI patients. In the LRTI patient with single HBoV infection, the virus was present in very high quantities. Conclusion: In conclusion, at the PICU-population level detection of HBoV, KIPyV, and WUPyV viruses was not associated with lower respiratory tract infection in children admitted to the PICU. In individual patients, however, HBoV may cause LRTI.