Human Bocavirus: More Evidence for Pathogenic Potential

In two studies, researchers found human bocavirus more often in patients with respiratory symptoms than in asymptomatic controls.

Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a newly described parvovirus discovered through the use of a random PCR/cloning technique (see Journal Watch Infectious Diseases Oct 7 2005). Whether HBoV is a human pathogen is not well established. Now, two groups of investigators report findings that associate HBoV with respiratory-tract illness.

Kesebir and colleagues screened respiratory secretions obtained from 425 symptomatic children <2 years old who had tested negative by direct immunofluorescence assay for other common respiratory viruses (influenza A and B, parainfluenza types 1–3, respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], and adenovirus). HBoV was detected by PCR in 22 (5.2%) of these specimens, compared with none of 96 respiratory specimens obtained from asymp…

Reviewing Author

Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS

Human Bocavirus: More Evidence for Pathogenic Potential

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Reviewing Author