Prevalence and Clinical Characterization of Human Rhinovirus in Hospitalized Children with Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Taiwan

Background: Human rhinovirus (HRV) and its species are the predominant viruses contributing to acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) in several countries. We explored their prevalence and clinical implications in hospitalized children with ALRTI in southern Taiwan. Materials and Methods: From 2011 to 2013, children with ALRTI younger than or 13 years admitted to the hospital were enrolled. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected to detect HRV, HRV species, and other common respiratory viruses. Participants were then categorized into HRV and non-HRV groups according to their virus test results. Results: A total of 55 children were enrolled: 21 in the HRV group and 34 in the non-HRV group. Respiratory viruses were found in 76.4% of the cases, including HRV (38.2%), enterovirus (18.2%), adenovirus (16.4%), and respiratory syncytial virus (7.3%). In the HRV group, HRV-C (57.1%) was predominant over HRV-A (23.8%) and HRV-B (19.0%). HRV and HRV-C were more common in spring and winter ( P < 0.05). The diagnosis of bronchitis or bronchiolitis was significantly higher in the HRV group (52.4%) compared with the non-HRV group (17.6%, P = 0.009). The proportion of patients with comorbid asthma attack was higher in the HRV group than in the non-HRV group and higher in the HRV-C group than in the HRV-B or HRV-C group. Conclusions: HRV is the most predominant virus in hospitalized children because of ALRTI in southern Taiwan, and HRV-C is the predominant species. HRV and HRV-C are more common in spring and winter and are associated with asthma attacks in hospitalized children with ALRTI.