Human bocavirus respiratory infection in infants in Córdoba, Argentina.

UNLABELLED It has been suggested that human bocavirus (HBoV) is related to acute respiratory infection (ARI) in children (prevalence: 0.9% to 33%) although clinical characteristics have not been clearly established yet. OBJECTIVES To identify the presence of HBoV in patients with ARI hospitalized in Hospital de Niños de Córdoba and describe cases without co-infection. METHOD HBoV screening was done by traditional PCR. Specimens to be screened were obtained from nasal secretions of 222 children under 2 years of age hospitalized due to an ARI during 2011. Demographic, clinical and radiological data were recorded. RESULTS Fifteen HBoV+ patients (6.8%) were identified. Their median age was 3.5 months (range: 1-22), 7/15 in co-infection (5 respiratory syncytial virus, 1 parainfuenza-3, 1 Bordetella pertussis). Cases without co-infection: pneumonia 5/8, bronchiolitis 3/8; two required intermediate care, 7/8 oxygen therapy, 7/8 bronchodilators, 6/8 antibiotics; associated disease 1/8 (microcephalus/heart disease). CONCLUSIONS HBoV was identified in 15 out of 222 children (6.8%); the diagnosis of pneumonia was predominant without severe cases nor complications upon discharge.