Detection of respiratory viruses in gargle specimens of healthy children

Abstract

Various viruses of different species were detected in the specimens from the children regardless of their health status. It might be speculated that host factors such as the function of the immune system influence the clinical outcome of the infection. However, this needs to be studied further.

Seasonality and selective trends in viral acute respiratory tract infections

“…Moreover, observations of the timing and location of vARI epidemics suggest that respiratory viruses can become dormant, a suggestion that is confirmed by the occasional presence of vARIs in polar communities after many weeks or months of complete isolation [24,25,39]. Biochemical tests of asymptomatic individuals who shed influenza A and B without seroconversion [35][36][37][38] are compatible with dormancy, and PCR tests showed directly that individuals harboring a variety of viral pathogens subsequently developed the corresponding vARIs [18,34]. If we accept this evidence of viral dormancy and reactivation, then the idea (M4) that chilling increases the activity of respiratory viruses that were present before the epidemic began can provide the rapid response, sensitivity to temperature dips, and occasional lack of transmission that we need to explain the epidemiological events (a-e) above.…”

“…Other respiratory viruses show similar behavior, sometimes on shorter timescales. Morikawa et al found human parechovirus, adenovirus, enterovirus, coronavirus 229E and HKU1, and rhinovirus in the gargle specimens of eight asymptomatic children using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests [34]. The tests required at least 100 copies of the genetic material, suggesting that the viruses in question had begun to replicate [34].…”

“…Morikawa et al found human parechovirus, adenovirus, enterovirus, coronavirus 229E and HKU1, and rhinovirus in the gargle specimens of eight asymptomatic children using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests [34]. The tests required at least 100 copies of the genetic material, suggesting that the viruses in question had begun to replicate [34]. However, the authors noted that it is difficult to interpret PCR results because it is a very sensitive method, and the positive results may reflect an asymptomatic past or concurrent infection, or an imminent infection.…”

Seasonal variations of respiratory viruses and etiology of human rhinovirus infection in children

“…Each sample was amplified using primers and probes specific for each of the targets as previously described [10]. Briefly, nucleic acids were extracted from 200 L specimens using the Magtration System with a MagDEA viral DNA/RNA 200 kit (Precision System Science Co., Ltd., Chiba, Japan) with a 50 L elution volume.…”

Viral and bacterial coinfection among hospitalized children with respiratory tract infections

“…Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) represent an important health issue, as they are a leading cause of mortality in children worldwide, particularly in developing countries, causing nearly 19% of all deaths among children under 5 years and 8.2% of all disability and premature mortality. [1][2][3][4] From the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2003, the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic in 2009, to the influenza A (H7N9) pandemic in 2013, new respiratory infections have become increasingly important in modern infectious diseases, especially H1N1. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first reported 2 cases of H1N1 in April, 2009.…”