Spotlight on Bocavirus and Other Parvoviruses, and Overlooked Respiratory Viruses

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Viruses".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 August 2026 | Viewed by 3270

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Teaching Institute of Public Health “Dr Andrija Štampar”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2. School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: respiratory viruses; intracellular bacteria; molecular diagnostics; STI pathogens

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Guest Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In this Special Issue, we aim to shed light on parvoviruses that primarily cause respiratory infections—but also gastrointestinal and systemic infections—in both humans and animals, as well as on some neglected respiratory viruses such as metapneumovirus and rhinoviruses.

Human Bocavirus 1 (HBoV1), a member of the Parvoviridae family first identified in 2005, is frequently detected in children with respiratory symptoms. In contrast, HBoV2–4 primarily infects the gastrointestinal tract, although the roles of both in human disease remain poorly understood. Parvovirus B19 is a well-known pathogen that causes the specific syndrome erythema infectiosum and poses a significant risk to vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals.

Animal parvoviruses—such as canine parvovirus and porcine parvovirus—raise important veterinary concerns and provide valuable insights into viral evolution and cross-species transmission.

One of the neglected human respiratory viruses is Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV), which is increasingly recognized as a cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia, particularly in young children and the elderly. In addition, Rhinoviruses, frequently dismissed as mere causes of the common cold, are now recognized as major contributors to lower respiratory tract infections in hospitalized young children, and they play a key role in the exacerbation of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults.

This Special Issue seeks to explore the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and public health impact of these frequently neglected viruses. By expanding our focus beyond the most familiar pathogens, we can enhance our understanding of the unique characteristics and disease mechanisms of these viruses—and ultimately strengthen our preparedness for future viral threats.

Prof. Dr. Suncanica Ljubin‐Sternak
Dr. Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • bocavirus
  • Parvovirus B19
  • canine parvovirus
  • porcine parvovirus
  • metapneumovirus
  • rhinovirus

Planned Papers

1. Molecular detection of Porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) and Porcine parvovirus (PPV) in domestic pigs and wild boars from Croatia

2. Protoparvovirus carnivoran 1 outbreak in golden jackals in Croatia

3. Epidemiology of parvovirus B19 in Croatian childbearing-aged women: A ten-year seroprevalence study

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 872 KB  
Article
Parvovirus B19 in Children: Clinical Spectrum, Viral Load Patterns, and Atypical Cutaneous Presentations in the Post-Pandemic Outbreak
by Sanda Škrbina, Dominik Ljubas, Ivana Valenčak, Leo Markovinović, Oktavija Đaković Rode, Snježana Zidovec-Lepej and Goran Tešović
Viruses 2026, 18(2), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/v18020223 - 10 Feb 2026
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Abstract
Background: Human parvovirus B19 causes a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from the classic “fifth disease” to severe presentations. Clinical presentation varies considerably across age groups. In 2023–2024, a notable increase in parvovirus B19 cases was reported across Europe. Methods: We retrospectively [...] Read more.
Background: Human parvovirus B19 causes a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from the classic “fifth disease” to severe presentations. Clinical presentation varies considerably across age groups. In 2023–2024, a notable increase in parvovirus B19 cases was reported across Europe. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed pediatric patients with serum serology and/or plasma PCR-confirmed parvovirus B19 infection treated at the tertiary infectious diseases center (University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb) in 2023 (January–August). Demographic, laboratory, viral load, and clinical characteristics were assessed, with emphasis on cutaneous manifestations. Results: A total of 102 patients were included (median age 10 years; 54.9% male), of whom 7.8% required hospitalization. Rash was present in 94 (92.2%) of the patients of whom 75 had erythema infectiosum and petechiae, while the rest had a combination of both. Patients with petechial rash were significantly older (p = 0.013) and exhibited lower platelet counts (p < 0.001) compared with those with erythema. A higher proportion of anti-B19V IgM (p = 0.027) and IgG (p < 0.001) antibodies was detected in patients with erythema. Petechial rash was associated with higher viral loads (p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, the presence of anti-B19V IgG antibodies was correlated with the absence of petechial rash (OR = 0.09; p < 0.001), whereas higher viral load was associated with its presence (OR = 1.7; p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, viral load emerged as the only predictor of petechial rash (aOR = 1.4, p = 0.042). Conclusions: Parvovirus B19 remains a self-limiting illness in healthy children, despite frequent atypical presentations. Higher viremia is associated with atypical rash morphology and suggests age-related differences in immune clearance. Full article
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12 pages, 1500 KB  
Article
Detection and Molecular Characterisation of Protoparvovirus carnivoran1 in Golden Jackals (Canis aureus) in Croatia
by Ivona Coric, Gorana Miletic, Dean Konjevic, Ivica Boskovic, Miljenko Bujanic, Alenka Skrinjaric, Snjezana Kovac, Ljubo Barbic, Andreja Jungic and Vladimir Stevanovic
Viruses 2026, 18(1), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/v18010123 - 17 Jan 2026
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Abstract
Protoparvoviruses are highly contagious pathogens that cause severe, often fatal diseases in both domestic and wild carnivores. Golden jackal (Canis aureus) populations have experienced expansion in recent years, increasingly occupying urban and peri-urban areas. Despite this, they remain largely overlooked in [...] Read more.
Protoparvoviruses are highly contagious pathogens that cause severe, often fatal diseases in both domestic and wild carnivores. Golden jackal (Canis aureus) populations have experienced expansion in recent years, increasingly occupying urban and peri-urban areas. Despite this, they remain largely overlooked in scientific research. This study aimed to detect and characterise Protoparvovirus carnivoran1 circulating in a golden jackal population in Croatia and to assess their role in the epidemiology of parvovirus infections in companion animals. Small intestines from 55 jackals hunted in 2024 and 2025 were tested for Protoparvovirus carnivoran1 using real-time PCR. Positive samples were found across all sampling sites, with an overall positivity rate of 40%. Based on characteristic amino acid residues within the VP2 protein, the viruses detected in jackals were classified as feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). Phylogenetic analysis of the VP2 protein demonstrated considerable genetic diversity among strains circulating in Croatia. Additionally, a distinct group was identified, shared exclusively by Croatian domestic cats and golden jackals. Amino acid analysis revealed the novel A91T mutation, found only in jackals, and the E411Q mutation, unique to Croatian FPV strains. Structural modelling of the VP2 protein indicates that the observed mutations are located on the protein surface, within the antibody-binding site. These findings highlight the potential role of wild carnivores in parvovirus epidemiology and underscore the importance of including them in future surveillance and research efforts. Full article
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15 pages, 1751 KB  
Article
Temporal, Spatial and Seasonal Patterns of Parvovirus B19 Seroepidemiology in Childbearing-Aged Women in Croatia, 2015–2024
by Tatjana Vilibić-Čavlek, Klara Barbić, Maja Bogdanić, Maja Mijač, Ana Sanković, Dan Navolan, Nadica Motofelea, Dana Liana Stoian and Sunčanica Ljubin-Sternak
Viruses 2025, 17(11), 1477; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17111477 - 6 Nov 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1038
Abstract
Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection during pregnancy represents a significant clinical concern due to its potential impact on the fetus and pregnancy outcome. We analyzed temporal, spatial, and seasonal B19V seroepidemiology in childbearing-aged and pregnant women in Croatia over 10 years (2015–2024). A total [...] Read more.
Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection during pregnancy represents a significant clinical concern due to its potential impact on the fetus and pregnancy outcome. We analyzed temporal, spatial, and seasonal B19V seroepidemiology in childbearing-aged and pregnant women in Croatia over 10 years (2015–2024). A total of 976 women who underwent routine TORCH screening were included. The overall B19V IgG and IgM seroprevalence was 63.7 and 8.7%, respectively, with significant temporal differences (IgG 36.8–72.3%, IgM 1.3–18.4). Significant differences in the IgG seropositivity were observed among age groups, from 42.3% in the 16–20 group to 72.7% in the 36–40 group. Spatial analysis showed no significant differences in the IgG or IgM seroprevalence between regions (City of Zagreb/Northern Croatia, Pannonian and Adriatic Croatia) and settlements (urban, suburban/rural). Additionally, seropositivity did not differ significantly in relation to obstetric history. In a logistic regression model, age was a significant predictor for IgG seroprevalence, with each additional year of age associated with increased odds of IgG seropositivity. Year, region, and settlement type were not significant predictors, indicating no evidence of temporal trends, regional differences, or differences between urban and rural settings after adjusting for age. Year of sampling, age, and region were significant predictors for IgM positivity. Acute infections were most common from March to July (61.2%) and December (9.4%), with regional variations in seasonal prevalence patterns. Given that screening in pregnancy is not routinely recommended, the high susceptibility to B19V observed in Croatia supports targeted serologic testing in women with clinical symptoms, known exposure, or occupational risk. Full article
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