Detection of human bocavirus in respiratory, fecal, and blood samples by real‐time PCR

Abstract

Human bocavirus (HBoV) has been detected worldwide in respiratory samples. Two real-time PCR assays, targeting the non-structural protein (NP-1) and viral protein (VP-1) genes, were designed and validated to detect HBoV in patients with respiratory disease, gastroenteritis, or systemic illness. Sensitivity of the NP-1 and VP-1 assays were equal to the conventional PCR assay previously described by Allander et al. [2005: Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 102: 12891-12896] being 100%, and giving specificity of 94% and 93%, respectively. There was no cross-reaction identified with unrelated respiratory agents, or to human DNA. The limits of detection were 10 copies of genomic DNA equivalents per reaction for both assays. The assays were used to screen three different sample populations, combined nose, and throat swabs (n = 96) from children with acute respiratory disease, fecal samples (n = 375) from adults, and children with gastroenteritis and whole blood (n = 229) collected from 31 immunocompromised children taken over an 18-month period. In total 17 (18%) respiratory samples and 18 (4.8%) fecal samples were identified as having HBoV present. Of the pediatric whole blood specimens investigated, HBoV was detected in six (2.6%) samples from four patients. In summary, two real-time PCR assays targeting different genes were designed and validated for use as screening methods for the detection of HBoV. HBoV was found in three different specimen types: parent-collected combined nose-throat swabs, fecal samples collected from symptomatic individuals and whole blood from immunocompromised children.

Human bocavirus 1 and 3 infection in children with acute gastroenteritis in Brazil

“…In the present study, HBoV-1 and HBoV-3 were detected in children less than five years of age, which is in agreement with other studies conducted in different parts of the world (Campe et al 2008, Huang et al 2009, Karalar et al 2009, Tozer et al 2009), including Brazil (Albuquerque et al 2007).…”

“…Since its discovery, the HBoV-1 detection rate has varied from 2-19% in patients with upper or lower respiratory disease (Allander et al 2005, Lau et al 2007, Monteny et al 2007, Tozer et al 2009). HBoV-2, HBoV-3 and HBoV-4 have mainly been detected in stool samples, with HBoV-2 and possibly HBoV-3 being associated with gastroenteritis , Jartti et al 2012.…”

Human parvoviruses B19, PARV4 and bocavirus in pediatric patients with allogeneic hematopoietic SCT

“…21,[25][26][27][28] The role of HBoV1 among the immunosuppressed is poorly understood. Tozer et al 29 observed that among 229 whole blood samples collected over 18 months from immunocompromised children (n ¼ 31) 2.6% were HBoV1 DNA positive. One patient, however, accounted for three (50%) of the findings.…”

Detection and quantification of human bocavirus in river water

“…HBoV infections have been detected frequently in young children and may also contribute to severe respiratory infections in adults (Chow et al, 2008;Kupfer et al, 2006). The virus has also been detected in faecal and urine samples (Campe et al, 2008;Lee et al, 2007;Pozo et al, 2007;Tozer et al, 2009;Vicente et al, 2007).…”