Detection of human rhinovirus C in fecal samples of children with gastroenteritis

J Clin Virol. 2012 Apr;53(4):290-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2012.01.008. Epub 2012 Feb 7.

Abstract

Background: Despite recent discovery of the novel human rhinovirus species, HRV-C, little is known about the association of HRV-C in diseases other than respiratory tract infections.

Objectives: To investigate the presence of HRV-C in fecal samples of children with gastroenteritis.

Study design: 734 fecal samples from hospitalized children with gastroenteritis were subject to picornavirus detection by RT-PCR of the conserved 5'-NCR. Positive samples were subject to VP4 and 3D(pol) gene analysis for species determination. The clinical and molecular epidemiology of HRV-C and other picornaviruses was analyzed.

Results: Picornaviruses were detected in 113 (15.4%) of 734 fecal samples from children with gastroenteritis by RT-PCR of 5'-NCR, with 58 containing potential HRVs and 55 containing other enteroviruses. PCR of the VP4 and 3D(pol) regions was positive in 21 and 19 samples respectively (both regions positive in 8 samples). Sequencing analysis showed the presence of HRV-C in four samples, and diverse picornaviruses including HRV-A (n=2), HEV-A (n=2), HEV-B (n=2), HEV-C (n=21) and HPeV (n=2) in other samples, with co-detection of HRV-C and HPeV in one sample. Of the four children with HRV-C detected in fecal samples, three presented with diarrhea in the absence of respiratory symptoms, while one also had acute bronchiolitis. The four HRV-C strains from fecal samples belonged to the existing clade of diverse HRV-C genotypes, indistinguishable from previous respiratory strains.

Conclusions: HRV-C can be detected in fecal samples of children with gastroenteritis, in the absence of respiratory symptoms. This study also represented the first to detect HPeV in our population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Feces / virology*
  • Female
  • Gastroenteritis / epidemiology*
  • Gastroenteritis / virology
  • Genotype
  • Hong Kong / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Picornaviridae Infections / epidemiology*
  • Picornaviridae Infections / virology
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Rhinovirus / classification
  • Rhinovirus / genetics*
  • Rhinovirus / isolation & purification
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • RNA, Viral

Associated data

  • GENBANK/JN896368
  • GENBANK/JN896369
  • GENBANK/JN896370
  • GENBANK/JN896371
  • GENBANK/JN896372