Frequency of human bocavirus (HBoV) infection among children with febrile respiratory symptoms in Argentina, Nicaragua and Peru

Abstract

Background: Globally, respiratory infections are the primary cause of illness in developing countries, specifically among children; however, an etiological agent for many of these illnesses is rarely identified.ObjectivesOur study aimed to estimate the frequency of human bocavirus (HBoV) infection among pediatric populations in Argentina, Nicaragua and Peru.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using stored samples of an influenza-like illness surveillance program. Irrespective of previous diagnosis, nasopharyngeal or nasal swab specimens were randomly selected and tested using real-time PCR from three sites during 2007 from patients younger than 6 years old.ResultsA total of 568 specimens from Argentina (185), Nicaragua (192) and Peru (191) were tested. The prevalence of HBoV was 10 center dot 8% (95% CI: 6 center dot 3; 15 center dot 3) in Argentina, 33 center dot 3% in Nicaragua (95% CI: 26 center dot 6; 40 center dot 1) and 25 center dot 1% in Peru (95% CI: 18 center dot 9; 31 center dot 3).ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate circulation of HBoV in Argentina, Nicaragua and Peru among children with influenza-like symptoms enrolled in a sentinel surveillance program.