Scientists in Cordoba detect human bocavirus type 1 in pediatric intensive care patients

For some time, a group of researchers from the National University of Córdoba has been studying the “bocavirus type 1” virus, an infectious agent that causes respiratory diseases in boys and girls under 5 years of age, especially in infants. It can lead to pneumonia and long-term complications.

The study, published in the scientific journal Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, shows that Bocavirus type 1 can cause severe respiratory infections. The disease was diagnosed in 28% of patients under 2 years old admitted to the intensive care unit of the Children’s Hospital of Santísima Trinidad.

Under the heading “Clinical features of human bocavirus type 1 infection in infants hospitalized for severe acute respiratory illness in the intensive care unit”, the researchers state: “The clinical features and evolution of infants admitted to the intensive care unit are described. This has not been previously reported. Patients with comorbidities had acute respiratory infection (SARI) caused by human bocavirus type 1 monoinfection. We also compared them with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases. Of the 141 included cases (age 5.43 ± 4.54 months, 52% male), at least 1 virus was detected in 80% of cases. RSV was the most common in this series (71.6%), followed by HBoV1 (28%). Five cases with a single detection of HBoV1 were identified Cases. Pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome was present in both HBoV1 and RSV groups. The clinical manifestations and course of a single HBoV1 infection were similar to those of RSV. “HBoV1 should be included among the pathogens investigated for SARI cases in infants.” “

The study used observational, analytical, and cross-sectional design. Children younger than 2 years old admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a diagnosis of ARF between April 2021 and April 2022 were prospectively included, as well as cases in which it was difficult or impossible to obtain clinical samples for diagnosis.

According to the results of the publication, 141 patients diagnosed with low ARF were admitted to the ICU during the study period. Mean age was 5.4±4.5 months (range 0-22 years); there was a slight male predominance in the series (52%, 73/141). At least 1 respiratory virus was identified in 80% of cases (113/141); bacteria were isolated in 2 patients (1.4%, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus), and no bacteria were found in 18.6% (26/141) . The mean number of days in ICU was 12.58 ± 7.99 days (range 2-42).

The scientists emphasize; “We report our experience in ICU focused treatment of children younger than 2 years with SARI, emphasizing the importance of viral etiology as a cause of PARDS, including HBoV1. The prevalence of HBoV1 in our series was 28%, with Five cases were single infections. Our prospective study sample included only patients requiring intensive care for community-acquired respiratory infections, and these data have not previously been well described in the literature. “The results highlight the need for further research into HBoV1 necessity. “

This bacterium was first discovered in 2005. Despite nearly 20 years of discovery, many aspects remain in doubt. The research team used molecular detection technology (PCR) to confirm that this condition is more common in children with acute respiratory tract infections.

In the conclusion of the abstract you can read: “Virus identification in our series was high (80%), with a prevalence of HBoV1 of 28% between 2021 and 2022 (5 unique detections); all required Ventilatory support (1 episode of respiratory distress/PARDS), progressed well after discharge. HBoV1 cases have clinical manifestations similar to RSV. In severe cases of ARF in infants, testing for HBoV1 should be considered.”

“It’s important to pay attention to it because it can cause severe symptoms of viral pneumonia. Knowing this can help us make differential diagnoses and reduce the use of antibiotics,” researcher Laura Beatriz Moreno, clinical chair of pediatrics at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, told cba24n .com.ar website explains.

Fernanda Bireni