Rhinovirus infections in children: a retro-spective and prospective hospital-based study

摘要

Rhinoviruses are the most common cause of respiratory infections in the community but their effect on hospitaliza-tion of children has not been fully established. In recent studies, rhinoviruses have been found as or more frequently as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children hospitalized with wheezing illnesses (bronchiolitis, wheezy bronchitis, or asthma). Rhinoviruses have been common also in studies of children hospitalized with pneumonia, other acute respiratory infections, or febrile diseases. However, their role as primary pathogens, co-pathogens with other microbes, or as innocent bystanders is not always clear. In order to analyze clinical characteristics and prevalence of rhinovirus infections in children in the hospital, the authors reviewed a retrospective dataset from a 20-year period and conducted a short-term prospective study.