Epidemiology of human adenovirus infection in children hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections in Hunan,China

To investigate the current genotypes of circulating human adenovirus (HAdV) strains, we molecularly genotyped HAdV in the nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) of patients with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs) and attempted to determine their associations with clinical symptoms. A total of 4751 NPA samples were collected from 4751 patients admitted to Hunan Provincial People's Hospital from September 2007 to March 2014, of which 447 (9.4%) samples were HAdV positive. Fourteen different HAdV types were identified; HAdV types 1 to 7 (HAdV 1-7) were identified in 95.7% of the 447 NPA samples with HAdV-7 and HAdV-3 being the most prevalent. In addition, 93.3% (417 of 447) of patients were younger than 5 years. The incidence of HAdV infection peaked in summer. Different HAdV types showed a predilection for different age groups and different seasonal distribution patterns. Coinfection of HAdVs and other respiratory viruses was detected in 63.3% (283 of 447) of the HAdV-positive samples. The most common clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and the most common symptoms were fever and cough. In comparison with children infected with HAdV-3 alone, those infected with HAdV-7 alone had an increased frequency of severe pneumonia involvement (11.6% vs 32.4%; P = 0.031), higher intensive care unit admission rates (7.0% vs 26.5%; P = 0.019), and a longer length of hospital stay (P = 0.03). Mixed infections in younger children were associated with a longer hospital stay (P = 0.023). Our results demonstrate the recent changes in the trends of circulating HAdV genotypes associated with ALRTIs in Hunan China.     

Human bocavirus infection in young children with acute respiratory tract infection in Lanzhou,China

Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a recognized human parvovirus associated with acute respiratory tract infection. However, HBoV has yet to be established as a causative agent of respiratory disease. In this study, the epidemiological and virological characteristics of HBoV infection were studied in children with acute respiratory tract infection in China. In total, 406 children younger than 14 years of age with acute respiratory tract infection were included in this prospective 1‐year study. HBoV was detected in 29 (7.1%) of the 406 children. No clear seasonal fluctuation was observed in infection rates of HBoV. Of the 29 children infected with HBoV, 16 (55.2%) were coinfected with other respiratory viruses, most commonly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Viral coinfection with HBoV did not affect the severity of the respiratory disease (P = 0.291). The number of HBoV genome copies ranged from 5.80 × 10² to 9.72 × 10⁸ copies/ml in nasopharyngeal aspirates among HBoV‐positive specimens by real‐time PCR, and neither coinfection nor the severity of disease correlated with the viral load (P = 0.148, P = 0.354, respectively). The most common clinical features were cough and acute upper respiratory infection, and acute bronchopneumonia. Additionally, the NP‐1 gene of HBoV showed minimal sequence variation. These data suggest that HBoV is frequent in young children with acute respiratory tract infection in Lanzhou, China, and RSV is the most common coinfecting virus. There was no apparent association between the viral load of HBoV and coinfection or disease severity. The NP‐1 gene was highly conserved in HBoV. J. Med. Virol. 82:282–288, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Newly identified respiratory viruses associated with acute lower respiratory tract infections in children in Lanzou,China, from 2006 to 2009

Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from 813 children <14 years old with acute lower respiratory tract infections in Lanzhou, China, from December 2006 to November 2009. PCR or RT-PCR was used to screen for the presence of 10 respiratory viruses. Viral agents were identified in 73.92% (601/813) of specimens, including RSV in 40.71%, hMPV in 6.15%, IFVA in 7.13%, IFVB in 0.98%, PIV1-3 in 7.87%, HCoV-HKU1 in 2.21%, HCoV-NL63 in 3.81%, HRV in 19.93%, AdV in 7.50% and HBoV in 11.56%. Two or more viruses were detected in 34.44% (280/813) of cases. The newly identified respiratory viruses, HBoV, hMPV, HCoV-HKU1 and HCoV-NL63, accounted for 22.01% of the detected viral pathogens. RSV and HRV were frequently detected in patients with bronchiolitis, and hMPV was frequently associated with pneumonia. HCoV-NL63 was found to be one of the causative agents of acute respiratory wheezing in young children. No seasonal variation was found in the incidence of detection of HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-NL63 or HBoV. This 3-year study demonstrated that viral pathogens play an important role in children with ALRTIs, and more attention should be paid to these newly identified viral agents.     

3820例呼吸道感染患儿病原体的检测结果及流行病学特点分析

目的:了解垫江地区儿童呼吸道病原体流行情况,为疾病的预防和诊治提供实验室依据.方法:回顾性分析2018年1月至2020年10月本院收治的3820例呼吸道感染患儿入院时检测的血常规、血清淀粉样蛋白A(Serum amyloid A,SAA)、C反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP)结果及采用间接免疫荧光...     

Human metapneumovirus infection among children in Taiwan: a comparison of clinical manifestations with other virus-associated respiratory tract infections

This study compared the clinical, laboratory and radiological features of infections caused by human metapneumovirus (hMPV) with other respiratory viruses. Nasopharyngeal aspirates and throat swabs were obtained from children during a 9-week period. hMPV was the virus isolated most frequently, followed by adenovirus, influenza virus A, respiratory syncytial virus and influenza virus B. hMPV-infected children were younger, and were more likely to be female, to present with feeding difficulties, a rash, tachycardia and a longer duration of fever, and to cough less frequently. Increasing interstitial infiltrates and hyperinflation were the most common radiological findings. None of the children required mechanical ventilation.     

Thrombophlebitis and upper respiratory tract virus infection

During an episode of thrombophlebitis, the 72-year-old correspondent came down with a common cold presumably, but not provenly, due to infection by one of the rhinoviruses. During the 96 hr period of coryza, all symptoms of thrombophlebitis vanished completely. There is experimental evidence that rhinovirus infections elicit cytokine production [St?ckl et al. (1999): J Clin Invest 104: 957-965], and that IL-10 can assuage thrombosis in rats [Downing et al. (1998): J Immunol 161: 1471-1476].     

Human bocavirus infection diagnosed serologically among children admitted to hospital with community-acquired pneumonia in a tropical region

Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a human virus associated with respiratory disease in children. Limited information is available on acute infection with HBoV among children admitted to hospital with community-acquired pneumonia in tropical regions and the current diagnosis is inadequate. The aims were to diagnose and describe acute HBoV infections among children hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia. In Salvador, Brazil, 277 children with community-acquired pneumonia were prospectively enrolled. Paired serum samples were tested by IgG, IgM, and IgG-avidity enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) using recombinant HBoV VP2. HBoV DNA was detected in nasopharyngeal aspirates and serum by a quantitative polymerase-chain reaction (PCR). HBoV DNA was detected in nasopharyngeal aspirates of 62/268 (23%) children and 156/273 (57%) were seropositive. Acute primary HBoV infection was reliably diagnosed (bearing at least two acute markers: Positive IgM, a fourfold increase/conversion of IgG, low IgG avidity or viremia) in 21 (8%) of 273 patients, 90% of 20 had HBoV DNA in nasopharyngeal aspirates, 83% with a high DNA load. The median age of infection with HBoV was 16 months, range 5-36. Community-acquired pneumonia was confirmed radiographically in 85% of 20 patients with acute HBoV infection diagnosed serologically. HBoV DNA was found in nasopharyngeal aspirates of 42/246(17%) children without an acute primary HBoV infection and available nasopharyngeal aspirate. Four children with HBoV secondary immune responses were detected, lacking both IgM and viremia. HBoV infection was diagnosed accurately in children aged 5-36 months with community-acquired pneumonia confirmed radiographically. PCR of nasopharyngeal aspirates is not a reliable marker of acute HBoV infection.     

肺表面活性蛋白A基因多态性与呼吸道合胞病毒下呼吸道感染的相关性研究

目的探讨肺表面活性蛋白（SP）-A1-1101C/T和SP-A2-1649G/C位点基因多态性与呼吸道合胞病毒下呼吸道感染（RSV-LRTI）的相关性。方法应用聚合酶链反应-限制性酶切片段长度多态性（PCR-RFLP）分析法检测200例病例组和150例健康对照组2个位点的基因多态性,并进行基因型、等位基因型频率分析;采用DNA测序法进行测序分析。结果 1.病例组SP-A1-1101C/T位点TT、CT基因型频率分别为76.0%、24.0%,T、C等位基因频率分别为88.0%、12.0%;对照组TT、CT基因型频率分别为80.7%、19.3%,T、C等位基因频率分别为90.3%、9.7%,两组基因型及等位基因频率差异无统计学意义（χ2=1.088、0.953,P〉0.05）。2.病例组SP-A2-1649G/C位点CC、CG、GG基因型频率分别为41.5%、50.5%、8.0%,C、G等位基因频率分别为66.8%、33.2%;对照组CC、CG、GG基因型频率分别为43.3%、49.3%、7.4%,C、G等位基因频率分别为68.0%、32.0%,两组基因型及等位基因频率无统计学意义（χ2=0.141、0.122,P〉0.05）;但该位点基因型和等位基因在轻度和重度患儿间的差异有统计学意义（χ2=6.664、5.207,P〈0.05）,携带G等位基因的个体患重度RSV-LRTI的风险是患轻度风险的1.656倍,（OR=1.656,95%CI：1.072～2.559,P=0.023〈0.05）。结论温州地区汉族儿童存在SP-A1-1101C/T、SP-A2-1649G/C基因多态性,未发现其与RSV-LRTI疾病易感性存在关联,但携带SP-A2-1649G等位基因的个体患重度RSV-LRTI的风险是患轻度风险的1.656倍,表明G等位基因可能是影响RSV-LRTI疾病严重程度的一个候选基因。     

Bacteriologic diagnosis of respiratory tract infection

The use of the Gram stain for determination of the presence of bacteria in respiratory secretions is described. Success of the procedure depends on the use of fresh samples of high cellular quality. The Gram stain can be used to distinguish the presence (among other organisms) of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Branhamella catarrhalis enterobacteria and Pseudomonas. This paper also discusses the use of sputum samples for bacteriologic culture and the value of bacterial counts in expectorated sputum, and describes the use of transtracheal aspiration and transthoracic aspiration puncture. Finally, it considers the optimum procedures for the testing of antibiotic susceptibility of presumptive pathogens isolated from the lower respiratory tract.     

The association between bacteria colonizing the upper respiratory tract and lower respiratory tract infection in young children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundBacteria colonizing the upper respiratory tract (URT) of young children play a key role in the pathogenesis of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI).ObjectivesTo systematically review the literature on the association between bacteria colonizing the URT and LRTI among young children.Data sourcesMEDLINE, Academic Search Premier, Africa-Wide Information and CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science.Study eligibility criteriaStudies published between 1923 and 2020, investigating URT bacteria from LRTI cases and controls.ParticipantsChildren under 5 years with and without acute LRTI.MethodsThree reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and full texts. Meta-analysis was done using Mantel–Haenszel fixed- or random-effects models.ResultsMost eligible studies (41/50) tested nasopharyngeal specimens when investigating URT bacteria. Most studies were of cross-sectional design (44/50). Twenty-four studies were performed in children in lower- or lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). There was higher prevalence of Haemophilus influenzae (pooled OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.23–2.07) and Klebsiella spp. (pooled OR 2.04; 95% CI 1.17–3.55) from URT specimens of cases versus controls. We observed a positive association between the detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae from URT specimens and LRTI after excluding studies where there was more antibiotic treatment prior to sampling in cases vs. controls (pooled OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.04–1.90). High density colonization with S. pneumoniae (>6.9 log¹⁰ copies/mL) was associated with an increased risk for LRTI. The associations between both Streptococcus and Haemophilus URT detection and LRTI were supported, at genus level, by 16S rRNA sequencing. Evidence for the role of Moraxella catarrhalis and Staphylococcus aureus was inconclusive.ConclusionsDetection of H. influenzae or Klebsiella spp. in the URT was associated with LRTI, while evidence for association with S. pneumoniae was less conclusive. Longitudinal studies assessing URT microbial communities, together with environmental and host factors are needed to better understand pathogenesis of childhood LRTI.     

上海地区儿童下呼吸道人类偏肺病毒感染的初步研究

目的 了解人类偏肺病毒（hMPV）在上海地区儿童下呼吸道感染中的致病情况。方法 采集2004年8月-2005年1月秋冬季节我院479例因社区获得性急性下呼吸道感染（CALRTIs）住院儿童的呼吸道分泌物标本，对直接免疫荧光法常规检测病毒阴性的259份标本用逆转录．多聚酶链反应法（RT-PCR）检测hMPVM基因。对PCR阳性产物随机挑选23份直接作核苷酸序列测定，用DNAStar软件对基因序列分析。结果 259份标本中hMPV检测阳性例数为59例（22．8％），占总例数的12．3％。冬季检测阳性率明显高于秋季（31．3％vs7．5％，P〈0．01）。5岁及以下儿童53例（89．8％），5岁以上儿童6例（10．2％）。23份hMPV阳性标本目标基因部分核苷酸序列与GenBank中公布的hMPVM基因同源性达82．8％～100％，部分氨基酸序列同源性为93．0％～100％，对核苷酸序列作基因进化树分析显示存在2种不同的基因型，以Bj1816组为代表的基因型14株，以Bj1887组为代表的基因型9株。结论hMPV是上海地区儿童CALRTIs的重要致病原，上海地区儿童感染的hMPV同时存在2种不同的基因型。     

Epidemiology of influenza in hospitalized children with respiratory tract infection in Suzhou area from 2016 to 2019

Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease and risks public health in China, and it has caused wide public concern in recent years. Immunocompromised patients, such as children and elderly people, suffer more severe influenza complication and some extreme cases are even life threatening. To identify the influenza characteristics and its correlation with various climatic and environmental pollution factors, we collected the reported influenza epidemic of hospitalized children in Children's Hospital of Soochow University from 2016 to 2019. Our results show that the main influenza virus subtypes are A/H1N1, A/H3N2, B/BV, and B/BY. We also identified the characteristics of the prevalent influenza virus subtypes in different months, seasons, years, and patients' age. Of all the influenza infected patients, the most susceptible groups are children over 3 to 5 years of age, and more cases are reported in winter than other seasons. We also found that influenza is also highly correlated with climatic and environmental pollution factors, and the autoregressive integrated moving average model is employed for the short-term influenza prediction in Suzhou city, which can provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of influenza and public health decision-making.