Molecular Epidemiology of Rhinovirus in Southern Palestine

Abstract

Rhinoviruses (RVs) are classified in the Enteroviruses genus of Picornaviridae family. RVs are a major cause of the common cold. Several studies have shown that the RV is associated with other respiratory diseases such as asthma and sinusitis in young children. RVs are highly communicable viruses, particularly during the spring and fall months. RVs are divided into three genetic diversity groups (A, B, and C) with more than 160 serotypes. In Palestine and other parts of the Middle East, the epidemiology of RVs is not well defined. Objective This study examines the molecular epidemiology of RV in patients admitted to Caritas Baby Hospital (CBH) during 2013 and evaluates the co-infection rates between RVs and other common respiratory viruses. Materials and Methods Nasopharyngeal aspirates (N=1,745) collected from patients admitted to CBH in 2013 with upper respiratory tract infection were tested by Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) staining for eight common human respiratory viruses (influenza viruses A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), parainfluenza 1, 2, and 3, and adenovirus). Nasopharyngeal aspirates collected from patients less than 14 years of age between January and December 2013 where included in the study. Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to evaluate the presence of RVs in the DFA tested samples. In addition, RV subgrouping (A, B, or C) was performed on 184 (26.3%) RV positive patients samples by RT-PCR. Finally, sequence analysis of partially amplified RV genome sequences were performed on different RV subgroups on positive patient's samples and used to determine the RV genotypes.