According to recent research from the United States, 'Rhinovirus is a respiratory virus most typically associated with the common cold and asthma exacerbations, and has not traditionally been considered to play a major role in severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). As part of a surveillance program for respiratory pathogens of public health importance, children consecutively admitted to intensive care for LRTI at a large tertiary children's hospital were tested with polymerase chain reaction for I I respiratory viruses and Mycoplasma pneumoniae from February 21 to October 31, 2007; 43 cases were enrolled and rhinovirus was the most frequently detected pathogen, with 21 (49%) positive.'
'Rhinovirus cases frequently were young (median age, 1.4 years [range, 44 days-15 years]), hospitalized for pneumonia (10; 48%), had chronic underlying illnesses (15; 71%), had abnormal chest radiographs (18; 86%), required mechanical ventilation (12; 57%), and had prolonged hospitalization (median length, 7 days [range, 1-29 days]). Coinfection with other viruses or bacteria was common (10; 47%),' wrote J.K. Louie and colleagues.
The researchers concluded: 'Rhinovirus may be associated with more severe LRTI in children than previously reported, particularly in the noninfluenza, nonrespiratory syncytial virus season.'
Louie and colleagues published their study in Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal (RHINOVIRUS ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 2009;28(4):337-339).
For additional information, contact J.K. Louie, California Dept. of Public Health, Viral & Rickettsial Diseases Laboratory, 850 Marina Bay Pkwy, Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
Publisher contact information for the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal is: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106-3621, USA.
Keywords: United States, Richmond, Life Sciences, Pediatric, Allergy Medicine, Asthma, Allergies, Rhinovirus, Common Cold, Virology, Respiratory Tract Infections, Enzyme Research, Polymerase, Diagnosis, Diagnostics, Mycoplasma, Pediatrics, Public Health, Pediatric Infectious Disease.
This article was prepared by Pediatrics Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Pediatrics Week via NewsRx.com.
