Genotypic diversity, circulation patterns, and co-detections among rhinoviruses in Queensland, 2001

Katherine E. Arden; Ristan M. Greer; Claire Y.T. Wang; Ian M. Mackay

Neither clinical impact nor admission status was sought in this study, but sampling was due to a clinical need. The small number of extracts available from January and February (summer) limited the strength of the RV analyses during this period. Also, the absence of testing for bocaviruses may have reduced the positive associations noted among the respiratory viruses because bocaviruses are frequent partners in extracts positive for more than one respiratory virus. 5, 21 Despite the frequent perception that RVs commonly co-occur with another virus, our findings here and elsewhere indicate this is less likely to occur for RVs than for other respiratory viruses. 21, 29 That nearly 80% of RV detections occurred in the absence of another virus once again supports the assertion that RVs are primary pathogens of the airway among acutely ill infants. If a respiratory tract sample is to be collected for any testing and if routine screening of respiratory viruses is to serve its patients best, RV should be a principal component of any acute respiratory illness testing algorithm throughout the year, with allowance for their relative replacement by IFAV cases during winter.