Another Cause for Wheezing?

Human bocavirus was detected in 19% of wheezing children but was found alone in only 5%.

Acute viral respiratory tract infection is a common cause of hospitalization for infants and young children. Might human bocavirus (HBoV), a recently identified parvovirus, play a role in some of these infections? Using samples obtained for a clinical trial, researchers in Finland investigated the presence of HBoV and other viruses in the upper respiratory tracts of children hospitalized for acute wheezing.

Nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens, available for 259 wheezing children aged 3 months to 15 years, were subjected to PCR, virus culture, and antigen-detection assays. Testing yielded at least one viral pathogen in 95% of the children and at least two in 34%. Rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and enteroviruses were detected mos…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Another Cause for Wheezing?

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Reviewing Author