The prevalence of human rhinovirus C is low in children from the community without respiratory symptoms

Background: We have shown that human rhinovirus strains from group C (HRVC) are associated with more frequent and severe asthma exacerbations in children. The occurrence in HRVC in well children, with or without asthma and no current respiratory symptoms is unknown. Previous studies of patients with asthma without current symptoms have shown 12-44% had HRV detected. Aim: To document the prevalence of HRVC in a population of well children from the community. Methods: We prospectively recruited children from the community or from the hospital with no signs of an upper respiratory infection and with no respiratory condition other than asthma. Either a nasal flocked swab or nasal wash specimen were collected from all children and tested for HRV. Viral RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed. A two-step PCR of the HRV 59 NCR was used for detection, followed by sequencing for typing. Results: We collected nasal specimens from 34 children. The age range was 8 months to 18 years (mean 11.8 years). Male to female ratio was 1:1. Twenty five (73.5%) children were recruited directly from the community. Ten (29.4%) children were recruited in spring and 13 (38.2%) in autumn, the peak seasons for HRV. Seventeen (50%) children had a nasal swab and 17 (50%) children had a nasal wash specimen. Thirteen (38.3%) had doctor-diagnosed asthma. Ten (29.4%) had atopy. We found HRV in only 6 (17.6%) of the 34 children studied. HRVA was present in 2 of the samples and HRVB in 4. All of these were detected in spring or autumn. However, no HRVC was detected. Conclusion: In our community, HRVC has a low prevalence in children who are well and without respiratory symptoms.