Role of Human Bocavirus Respiratory Tract Infection in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients

Abstract

Background Limited data exist regarding the impact of human bocavirus (BoV) in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. Methods In a longitudinal surveillance study among allogeneic HCT recipients, pre-HCT and weekly post-HCT nasal washes and symptom surveys were collected through day 100, then at least every 3 months through 1 year post-HCT at the Fred Hutch (2005-2010). Samples were tested by multiplex semi-quantitative PCR for 12 viruses. Plasma samples from BoV+ subjects were analyzed by PCR. Separately, we conducted a retrospective review of HCT recipients with BoV detected in lower respiratory tract specimens. Results Among 51 children and 420 adults in the prospective cohort, 21 distinct BoV respiratory tract infections (RTIs) were observed by 1 year post-HCT in 19 patients. Younger age and exposure to children were risk factors for BoV acquisition. Univariable models among patients with BoV RTI showed higher peak viral load in nasal samples (p=0.04) and presence of respiratory copathogens (p=0.03) were associated with presence of respiratory symptoms but BoV plasma detection was not. Only watery eyes and rhinorrhea were associated with BoV RTI in adjusted models. With additional chart review, we identified 6 HCT recipients with BoV detected in lower respiratory tract specimens [incidence rate of 0.4% (9/2509) per sample tested]. Although all cases presented with hypoxemia, 4 had respiratory copathogens or concomitant conditions that contributed to respiratory compromise. Conclusions BoV RTI is infrequent in transplant recipients and associated with mild symptoms. Our studies did not demonstrate convincing evidence that BoV is a serious respiratory pathogen.

Epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of human bocavirus infection in children hospitalized for acute respiratory tract infection in Qingdao, China

“…In contrast, the proportion of imaging results confirmed that pneumonia in the single-infection group was higher than that in the mixed-infection group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups. In addition, low Ct-values of HBoV-positive patients had a lower rate of lung markings observed than high Ct-values of HBoV-positive patients (31.58 vs. 64.86%, P = 0.0018), suggesting that a single HBoV infection may not aggravate lung disease in nonsevere patients (He et al, 2021 ; Ogimi et al, 2021 ).…”

Respiratory virus infections after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: Current understanding, knowledge gaps, and recent advances

“…Scarce data are available concerning the relationship between HBoV and respiratory disease in HSCT recipients. In a prospective surveillance study on pediatric and adult HSCT recipients, 195 hBoV was infrequently detected (0.5%). In contrast, Piñana et al showed hBoV isolation in 8% of allo-HCT recipients developing respiratory viral infections over a period of 30 months.…”

“…It has been suggested that hBoV detection in the respiratory tract is associated with watery eyes and rhinorrhea. 195 Currently there is no available antiviral agent nor novel molecule in development against hBoV.…”

“…However, the significance of hBoV as a serious respiratory pathogen is still uncertain because of the frequent presence of co‐pathogens (18%–90%). It has been suggested that hBoV detection in the respiratory tract is associated with watery eyes and rhinorrhea 195 . Currently there is no available antiviral agent nor novel molecule in development against hBoV.…”

Prevalence of Human Bocavirus in Children Under 5 Years with Upper and Lower Respiratory Infections in Southeastern Iran

“…Some studies reported a higher prevalence of such infections during winter and spring (14), while others reported a higher prevalence in the first summer days (15). However, several researchers reported no clear seasonal pattern (16). In Iran, HBoV infection is said to be seasonal, with a higher incidence in winter and late autumn (12).…”