Search Results (44)

Respiratory pathogens are significant causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019 and the mitigation measures implemented to control the pandemic, other respiratory viruses’ transmission and circulation patterns were substantially disrupted. We leveraged the influenza hospitalization surveillance in Tanzania to understand the distribution of respiratory viruses shortly after nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were lifted. A total of 475 samples that tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza from March through May 2022 were included in this study. The samples were tested for 16 virus targets using Anyplex II RV16 multiplex assays. The findings indicate that most hospitalizations (74%) were among children under 15 years, with human bocavirus (HBoV) being the most prevalent (26.8%), followed by rhinovirus (RV, 12.3%), parainfluenza viruses (PIVs1–4, 10.2%), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, 8.7%), adenovirus (AdV, 4.3%), and metapneumovirus (MPV, 2.9%). Notably, 54% of respiratory hospitalizations had no viruses detected. The findings highlight the broad circulation of respiratory viruses shortly after NPIs were lifted in Tanzania. Surveillance for respiratory pathogens beyond influenza and SARS-CoV-2 can inform public health officials of emerging threats in the country and should be considered an important pandemic preparedness measure at a global level. Full article

Parvoviruses are small, single-stranded DNA viruses that have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to hijack host cell machinery for replication and persistence. One critical aspect of this interaction involves the manipulation of the host’s DNA Damage Response (DDR) pathways. While the viral genome is comparatively simple, parvoviruses have developed strategies that cause significant DNA damage, activate DDR pathways, and disrupt the host cell cycle. This review will explore the impact of parvovirus infections on host genome stability, focusing on key viral species such as Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV), Minute Virus of Mice (MVM), and Human Bocavirus (HBoV), and their interactions with DDR proteins. Since parvoviruses are used as oncolytic agents and gene therapy vectors, a better understanding of cellular DDR pathways will aid in engineering potent anti-cancer agents and gene therapies for chronic diseases. Full article

Background. Influenza remains a significant public health issue, with seasonal trends varying across regions. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of influenza virus trends in Italy, leveraging epidemiological and virological data from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS). The primary objective is to assess influenza activity at both national and regional levels, highlighting variations in incidence rates and viral subtype circulation during the 2023/2024 season. Methods. We conducted a systematic approach to data collection, processing, and visualization, utilizing influenza surveillance data from ISS. Incidence rates, subtype distribution, and co-circulating respiratory viruses were analyzed to identify key trends. Results. Our findings reveal a significant increase in influenza cases during the 2023/2024 season, with incidence rates surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Notably, changes in the circulation of influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B were observed, alongside the presence of other respiratory viruses such as RSV and rhinovirus. Conclusions. This study underscores the importance of real-time surveillance, transparent data sharing, and advanced visualization tools in guiding public health responses. By integrating lessons from COVID-19, we highlight the necessity of standardized surveillance frameworks to enhance preparedness for future seasonal outbreaks and potential pandemics. Full article

Acute gastroenteritis (AG) is a major illness in early childhood. Recent studies suggest a potential association between human bocavirus (HBoV) and AG. HBoV, a non-enveloped virus with a single-strand DNA genome, belongs to the Parvoviridae family. This study aimed to describe the frequency of HBoV in Northern Brazil using samples from patients with AG collected between 2017 and 2022. Fecal samples obtained from the viral gastroenteritis surveillance network at the Evandro Chagas Institute (IEC) were analyzed. Fecal suspensions (20%) were prepared, and the viral genome was extracted. PCR and nested-PCR were employed to detect HBoV, followed by nucleotide sequencing to identify viral types. Out of 692 samples, HBoV positivity was detected in 9.2% of cases (64/692). Genotypes HBoV-1, HBoV-2, HBoV-3, and HBoV-4 were found in 42.5% (17/40), 22.5% (9/40), 32.5% (13/40), and 2.5% (1/40) of the specimens, respectively. Co-infections with HBoV and other enteric viruses occurred in 48.3% (31/64) of cases, with RVA being the most frequent (31.2%, 20/64). The study results underscore the importance of continuous monitoring and further research to better understand the seasonality, coinfection patterns, and genetic variability of HBoV. Full article

Human bocavirus (HBoV) has emerged as a significant pathogen primarily associated with respiratory infections in children. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical relevance of HBoV infection by quantifying viral loads in nasopharyngeal swabs from hospitalized children with acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and investigating correlations with clinical outcomes. A total of 957 children were tested, with HBoV detected in 73 cases (7.6%), either as a sole infection or co-infection with other respiratory viruses. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was employed to measure viral load, and a threshold of 10⁴ copies/mL was used to differentiate high and low viral concentrations. Results have shown that children with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) had significantly higher viral loads, most notably in cases where HBoV was the sole pathogen. Additionally, children with pre-existing health conditions were more likely to have elevated HBoV concentrations compared to those who were previously healthy. Children with higher viral loads were more likely to require oxygen supplementation and receive empirical antibiotic therapy, indicating a more severe clinical course. This study underscores the importance of considering HBoV viral load in clinical diagnostics, as higher concentrations were associated with more severe presentations, including the need for oxygen support. Future research should focus on refining diagnostic thresholds and exploring HBoV’s role in co-infections to enhance patient care strategies. Full article

Human bocavirus (HBoV) has been identified as a viral agent with a global presence, especially in young patients with gastrointestinal infections. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the epidemiological patterns of the HBoVs associated with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in Taiwan. A total of 2994 AGE fecal samples from several diarrhea outbreaks from 2018 to 2022 were analyzed. From the samples, 73 positive samples were detected in three different bocaviruses: 30 (41.1%) were from HBoV1; 37 (50.7%) were from HBoV2; and 6 (8.2%) were from HBoV3, revealing the respective prevalences in AGE of 1%, 1.2%, and 0.2%. HBoV1 and HBoV2 were the two major epidemic agents of HBoVs in Taiwan during this study period and have seasonal distinct patterns with an epidemic peak from October to the following March. Phylogeny reconstruction and evaluation were implemented in Mega X; the results revealed that most HBoV1 strains in Taiwan appeared to be closely related to those strains from other Asian countries. The HBoV2 exhibited substantial genetic diversity and the HBoV3 genes showed discordance of groups. Full article

Head-to-tail sequences have been reported in human bocavirus (HBoV) 1-4. To reveal their features and functions, HBoV DNA was screened among respiratory specimens from pediatric patients with an acute respiratory infection (ARI) between April 2020 and December 2022, followed by HBoV genotyping. Head-to-tail sequences were detected using nested PCR, TA cloning, and Sanger sequencing, and these findings were confirmed by mNGS and amplicon sequencing. The secondary structure was predicted using the Mfold web server. The results indicated that head-to-tail sequences were detected in 42 specimens through TA cloning from 351 specimens positive for HBoV1 DNA, yielding 92 sequences into 32 types and 2 categories. Additionally, head-to-tail sequences were detected in 16 specimens by amplicon sequencing, yielding 60 sequences categorized into 23 types. The 374nt type, detected in 13 specimens, contains variants 374a and 374b, which differ in the unpaired loop regions of the palindrome or complementary reverse sequences, implying a switch of template chains during the replication process. The mNGS results in three specimens confirmed the presence of circular genome in copies below 1%. In conclusion, head-to-tail sequences of HBoV1 were common in children with ARI and were highly diverse in length and sequences. The variants may be generated by the switch of the template chain in the rolling-circle replication model. Full article

In this study, we present four cases of Human Bocavirus (HBoV) infection in children aged between 1 month and 4 years. Among these cases, two siblings were hospitalized with similar symptoms. Among the four pediatric cases of patients with HBoV infection, three were associated with acute respiratory failure and spontaneous pneumothorax, and two of these presented with subcutaneous emphysema. The presented patients were young children, aged between 1 month and 4 years, two of whom were siblings, suggesting a possible intrafamilial transmission of HBoV1 infection. These cases highlight the importance of considering HBoV as a differential diagnosis in pediatric patients with respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Early recognition and appropriate medical care are important in treating HBoV infection in young children. Full article

Respiratory viral infections pose a significant public health threat, particularly in children and older adults, with high mortality rates. Some of these pathogens are the human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza viruses (IV), human parvovirus B19 (B19V), and human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1). These viruses cause various respiratory symptoms, including cough, fever, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. Notably, these viruses can also impact the central nervous system (CNS), leading to acute manifestations such as seizures, encephalopathies, encephalitis, neurological sequelae, and long-term complications. The precise mechanisms by which these viruses affect the CNS are not fully understood. Glial cells, specifically microglia and astrocytes within the CNS, play pivotal roles in maintaining brain homeostasis and regulating immune responses. Exploring how these cells interact with viral pathogens, such as hRSV, SARS-CoV-2, IVs, B19V, and HBoV1, offers crucial insights into the significant impact of respiratory viruses on the CNS. This review article examines hRSV, SARS-CoV-2, IV, B19V, and HBoV1 interactions with microglia and astrocytes, shedding light on potential neurological consequences. Full article

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) can lead to both recurrent seasonal epidemic outbreaks and devastating pandemics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiologic characteristics and pathogen spectrum of RTIs using a multiplex RT-PCR panel. A total of 9354 cases with suspected RTIs between February 2021 and July 2023 were included in this study. A total of 11,048 nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal samples from these patients were analyzed for 23 respiratory tract pathogens using multiplex RT-PCR. H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae were considered as colonizing bacteria. At least one pathogen was detected in 70.66% of the samples; viral pathogens were detected in 48.41% of the samples, bacterial pathogens were detected in 16.06% of the samples, and viral + bacterial pathogens were detected in 35.53% of the samples. The most frequently detected viral pathogen was rhinovirus/enterovirus (RV/EV) (19.99%). Interestingly, in 2021, respiratory syncytial virus A/B showed atypical activity and replaced RV/EV as the most prevalent pathogen. Human bocavirus, H. influenzae, and S. pneumoniae were detected at higher rates in males (p: 0.038, p: 0.042, and p: 0.035, respectively), while SARS-CoV-2 and B. pertussis were detected at higher rates in females (p < 0.001 and p: 0.033). RTIs were found at higher rates in children (p < 0.001). SARS-CoV-2 and human coronaviruses 229E were detected at higher rates in adults (p < 0.001 and p: 0.001). This comprehensive study with a large sample size investigating RTI pathogens was the first in Türkiye. Understanding the current viral circulation using multiplex RT-PCR panels enables clinicians to predict the most likely pathogens affecting patients and contributes to patient management, in addition to anticipating potential threats. Full article

Viral co-infections are frequently observed among children, but whether specific viral interactions enhance or diminish the severity of respiratory disease is still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the type of viral mono- and co-infections by also evaluating viral correlations in 3525 respiratory samples from 3525 pediatric in/outpatients screened by the Allplex Respiratory Panel Assays and with a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-COronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) test available. Overall, viral co-infections were detected in 37.8% of patients and were more frequently observed in specimens from children with lower respiratory tract infections compared to those with upper respiratory tract infections (47.1% vs. 36.0%, p = 0.003). SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A were more commonly detected in mono-infections, whereas human bocavirus showed the highest co-infection rate (87.8% in co-infection). After analyzing viral pairings using Spearman’s correlation test, it was noted that SARS-CoV-2 was negatively associated with all other respiratory viruses, whereas a markedly significant positive correlation (p < 0.001) was observed for five viral pairings (involving adenovirus/human bocavirus/human enterovirus/metapneumoviruses/rhinovirus). The correlation between co-infection and clinical outcome may be linked to the type of virus(es) involved in the co-infection rather than simple co-presence. Further studies dedicated to this important point are needed, since it has obvious implications from a diagnostic and clinical point of view. Full article

Although the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 circulated intensely during the 2021–2022 season, many patients with severe acute respiratory disease tested negative for COVID-19. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of different respiratory viruses in deceased persons. The proportion of deceased persons with respiratory viral infections in the 2021–2022 season in Navarre, Spain, was estimated considering all deaths caused by confirmed COVID-19 according to the epidemiological surveillance and the results of multiplex PCR tests for respiratory viruses performed in a sample of deceased persons with a cause of death other than COVID-19. Of 3578 deaths, 324 (9.1%) were initially reported as caused by pre-mortem confirmed COVID-19. A sample of 242 persons who died by causes other than COVID-19 were tested post-mortem; 64 (26.4%) of them were positive for any respiratory virus: 11.2% for SARS-CoV-2, 5.8% for rhinovirus, 3.7% for human coronavirus, 2.5% for metapneumovirus, 1.7% for respiratory syncytial virus, 1.7% for parainfluenza, 1.2% for influenza, and less than 1% each for adenovirus and bocavirus. Combining both approaches, we estimated that 34.4% of all deceased persons during the study period had a respiratory viral infection and 19.2% had SARS-CoV-2. Only 33.3% (9/27) of SARS-CoV-2 and 5.0% (2/40) of other viruses detected post-mortem had previously been confirmed pre-mortem. In a period with very intense circulation of SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic, other respiratory viruses were also frequently present in deceased persons. Some SARS-CoV-2 infections and most other viral infections were not diagnosed pre-mortem. Several respiratory viruses may contribute to excess mortality in winter. Full article

Respiratory viral infections (RVIs) are common reasons for healthcare consultations. The inpatient management of RVIs consumes significant resources. From 2009 to 2014, we assessed the costs of RVI management in 4776 hospitalized children aged 0–18 years participating in a quality improvement program, where all ILI patients underwent virologic testing at the National Reference Centre followed by detailed recording of their clinical course. The direct (medical or non-medical) and indirect costs of inpatient management outside the ICU (‘non-ICU’) versus management requiring ICU care (‘ICU’) added up to EUR 2767.14 (non-ICU) vs. EUR 29,941.71 (ICU) for influenza, EUR 2713.14 (non-ICU) vs. EUR 16,951.06 (ICU) for RSV infections, and EUR 2767.33 (non-ICU) vs. EUR 14,394.02 (ICU) for human rhinovirus (hRV) infections, respectively. Non-ICU inpatient costs were similar for all eight RVIs studied: influenza, RSV, hRV, adenovirus (hAdV), metapneumovirus (hMPV), parainfluenza virus (hPIV), bocavirus (hBoV), and seasonal coronavirus (hCoV) infections. ICU costs for influenza, however, exceeded all other RVIs. At the time of the study, influenza was the only RVI with antiviral treatment options available for children, but only 9.8% of influenza patients (non-ICU) and 1.5% of ICU patients with influenza received antivirals; only 2.9% were vaccinated. Future studies should investigate the economic impact of treatment and prevention of influenza, COVID-19, and RSV post vaccine introduction. Full article

Acute respiratory viruses (ARVs) are the leading cause of diseases in humans worldwide. High-risk individuals, including children and the elderly, could potentially develop severe illnesses that could result in hospitalization or death in the worst case. The most common ARVs are the Human respiratory syncytial virus, Human Metapneumovirus, Human Parainfluenza Virus, rhinovirus, coronaviruses (including SARS and MERS CoV), adenoviruses, Human Bocavirus, enterovirus (-D68 and 71), and influenza viruses. The olfactory deficits due to ARV infection are a common symptom among patients. This review provides an overview of the role of SARS-CoV-2 and other common ARVs in the development of human olfactory pathophysiology. We highlight the critical need to understand the signaling underlying the olfactory dysfunction and the development of therapeutics for this wide-ranging category of AVRs to restore the altered or loss of smell in affected patients. Full article

The human adenovirus (HAdV) is a common pathogen in children that can cause acute respiratory virus infection (ARVI). However, the molecular epidemiological and clinical information relating to HAdV among hospitalized children with ARVI is rarely reported in Russia. A 4-year longitudinal (2019–2022) study among hospitalized children (0–17 years old) with ARVI in Novosibirsk, Russia, was conducted to evaluate the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of HAdV. Statistically significant differences in the detection rates of epidemiological and virological data of all positive viral detections of HAdV were analyzed using a two-tailed Chi-square test. The incidence of HAdV and other respiratory viruses such as human influenza A and B viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, coronavirus, parainfluenza virus, metapneumovirus, rhinovirus, bocavirus, and SARS-CoV-2 was investigated among 3190 hospitalized children using real-time polymerase chain reaction. At least one of these respiratory viruses was detected in 74.4% of hospitalized cases, among which HAdV accounted for 4%. A total of 1.3% co-infections with HAdV were also registered. We obtained full-genome sequences of 12 HAdVs, which were isolated in cell cultures. Genetic analysis revealed the circulation of adenovirus of genotypes C1, C2, C5, C89, and 108 among hospitalized children in the period from 2019–2022. Full article