Human Bocavirus Infection and Its Correlation with Respiratory Symptoms and Diarrhea
Author Information
Author(s): José Luiz Proença-Modena, Talita Bianca Gagliardi, Flávia Escremim de Paula, Marisa Akiko Iwamoto, Miriã Ferreira Criado, Ataíde A. Camara, Gustavo Olszanski Acrani, Otávio Augusto Leite Cintra, Maria Célia Cervi, Luisa Karla de Paula Arruda, Eurico Arruda
Primary Institution: University of São Paulo School of Medicine, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
Hypothesis
Is active viral replication of human bocavirus associated with respiratory diseases and does it have a clinical impact on patients?
Conclusion
The study found that active human bocavirus replication was detected in a small percentage of patients with acute respiratory infections and was correlated with concurrent diarrhea and lack of other viral co-infections.
Supporting Evidence
- HBoV was detected in 4.8% of patients with respiratory symptoms.
- Diarrhea was significantly more frequent in HBoV-positive patients.
- High HBoV viral loads were associated with exclusive infections.
- Detection of HBoV VP1 mRNA indicated active viral replication.
Takeaway
This study looked at a virus called human bocavirus in kids with coughs and found that when the virus is active, it can cause both cough and diarrhea.
Methodology
A 3-year retrospective hospital-based study testing nasopharyngeal aspirates from patients with respiratory symptoms for human bocavirus DNA and mRNA.
Potential Biases
Potential selection bias due to the hospital-based nature of the study.
Limitations
The study was hospital-based, which may introduce selection bias, and the sample size for control patients was small.
Participant Demographics
The majority of patients were children under 2 years of age.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Confidence Interval
95% CI 3.42–401.98
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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