Persistent Rhinovirus Infection in a Child With Leukemia

Abstract

Human Rhinovirus (HRV) is one of the most common pathogens causing acute respiratory tract infections in infants and children. Several reports suggest that HRV has the potential to cause chronic infection after an acute viral infection in an immunosuppressed patient. Although chronic HRV infection has been reported in lung transplant recipients, patients with hypogammaglobulinemia and cystic fibrosis, the duration and severity of HRV infection remain unclear. In this study, we present a case of persistent HRV infection in a stem cell transplanted leukemia patient. This report raises several questions regarding the risk factors, duration, and severity of persistent HRV infection in acute leukemia patients, which warrants prospective and longitudinal studies.