Viral Profile in Chronic Adenotonsillar Diseases

Abstract

Objective: Although there is a known role of virus in acute upper respiratory infections, few studies have explored the relationship between chronic diseases of Waldeyer’s ring and viral infections. This study aimed to analyze the presence of the main respiratory viruses in patients with chronic adenotonsillar diseases. Method: Nasal lavage and peripheral blood from 60 children with chronic adenotonsillitis or adenotonsillar hypertrophy were analyzed by RT-PCR for bocavirus, adenovirus, rhinovirus 1 and 2, enterovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus type 1 and 3, influenza virus A and B, and human coronavirus. Results: Virus infection was found in 66% of nasal lavage samples (40/60). The most prevalent virus was adenovirus (33.3%), followed by rhinovirus (30%), bocavirus (10%), enterovirus (8.3%), respiratory syncitial virus (5%), and influenza virus (5%). Parainfluenza virus and coronavirus were not detected in any sample. Co-infection was present in 24% of patients (14/60), especially adenovirus (9/14) and bocavirus (8/14). In peripheral blood, none of the patients had virus genome detected. Conclusion: The high prevalence of local genomic viruses in chronic adenotonsillar diseases may reflect a tissue persistence or virus latency, and may be an important etiology that could trigger inflammatory mechanisms involved in chronic diseases of the Waldeyer’s ring.