Authors:
Cox DW, Bizzintino J, Ferrari G, Khoo SK, Zhang G, Whelan S, … Laing IA, et al.
Authors notes:
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2013;188(11):1358-1364
Keywords:
Acute wheezing illnesses, Hospital admissions, Human rhinovirus, Pediatrics
Abstract:
Human rhinovirus species C (HRV-C) is the most common cause of acute wheezing exacerbations in young children presenting to hospital, but its impact on subsequent respiratory illnesses has not been defined.
To determine whether acute wheezing exacerbations due to HRV-C are associated with increased hospital attendances due to acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs).
HRV was the most common virus identified at recruitment (n = 135 [68.5%]). From the 120 (88.9%) samples that underwent typing, HRV-C was the most common HRV species identified, present in 81 (67.5%) samples.
Children with an HRV-related wheezing illness had an increased risk of readmission with an ARI compared with those infected with any other virus.
HRV-C, compared with any other virus, was associated with an increased risk of a respiratory hospital admission before and within 12 months of recruitment.
Risk for subsequent ARI admissions was further increased in atopic subjects.
Admission risks were not increased for other HRV species.
HRV-C-related wheezing illnesses were associated with an increased risk of prior and subsequent hospital respiratory admissions.
These associations are consistent with HRV-C causing recurrent severe wheezing illnesses in children who are more susceptible to ARIs.