Human bocavirus-1 infection in hospitalized pediatric patients with acute respiratory tract infections.

Abstract

Human bocavirus-1 (HBoV1) is an emerging viral pathogen associated with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in pediatric populations. This study aimed to evaluate the infection status and clinical characteristics of HBoV1 among hospitalized children suffering from ARTIs. A cohort of 5,021 pediatric patients with respiratory infections was analyzed using targeted next-generation sequencing to identify HBoV1 and other co-existing respiratory pathogens. Results indicated a detection rate of HBoV1 of 8.48%, predominantly among infants under 24 months, with a higher prevalence observed in males. Among the 426 children with HBoV1 detected, there were 17 cases (4%) of single HBoV1 infection, and 409 cases (96%) were co-infected with HBoV1 and other pathogens. The predominant infection pattern was HBoV1-bacteria-virus co-infection (155 cases). A total of 48 other pathogens were detected in children with HBoV1 co-infections, with rhinovirus and human herpesvirus being the most common. The median hospitalization duration for the children with HBoV1 was 8 days, and 16.26% required ICU admission for monitoring. The study offers a comprehensive analysis of the distribution of co-infecting pathogens, clinical features, and outcomes in hospitalized children with HBoV one infection.

Importance: There is currently a poor understanding of the characteristics and clinical manifestations of human bocavirus-1 (HBoV1) infection. In the past decade, few studies have thoroughly analyzed co-infecting pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi and their patterns in relation to HBoV1. This study utilizes targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) technology to identify HBoV1 and other common respiratory pathogens in 5,021 hospitalized children suffering from respiratory infections in the Guangxi region. It offers a detailed analysis of the distribution of co-infecting pathogens, infection patterns, laboratory findings, clinical manifestations, imaging features, complications, and prognoses related to HBoV1 infection in this population. The study highlights the high co-infection rates associated with HBoV1 and offers important insights for diagnosing, treating, and managing children with HBoV1 infection.