Rhinovirus C and Cystic Fibrosis | CDC EID

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Volume 16, Number 6–June 2010
Dispatch
Rhinovirus C and Respiratory Exacerbations in Children with Cystic Fibrosis
Marina B. de Almeida, Rodrigo M. Zerbinati, Adriana F. Tateno, Cristina M. Oliveira, Renata M. Romão, Joaquim C. Rodrigues, Cláudio S. Pannuti, and Luiz Vicente F. da Silva Filho
Author affiliations: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (M.B. de Almeida, J.C. Rodrigues, L.V.F. da Silva Filho); and Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo (R.M. Zerbinati, A.F. Tateno, C.M. Oliveira, R.M. Romão, C.S. Pannuti, L.V.F. da Silva Filho)

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Abstract
To investigate a possible role for human rhinovirus C in respiratory exacerbations of children with cystic fibrosis, we conducted microbiologic testing on respiratory specimens from 103 such patients in São Paulo, Brazil, during 2006–2007. A significant association was found between the presence of human rhinovirus C and respiratory exacerbations.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal inherited disease characterized by recurrent and chronic respiratory infections that ultimately lead to the need for a lung transplant early in life or to death (1). The role of bacterial infections in CF is well established, and most treatments focus on eradication or suppression of bacterial infections (mainly those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa) (1).

Respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza also seem to cause early damage or increase the risk for respiratory exacerbations (2,3) in these patients. However, the role of newly described respiratory viruses is not well known. Infection of these patients with human rhinovirus (HRV), a member of the family Picornaviridae, has been described. Although some studies have suggested a substantial pathogenic role for these viruses (3), controversy still exists (4).

Recently a new clade of human rhinovirus, named rhinovirus C (5), was identified through molecular methods. This new clade has been found throughout the world (6), and some studies have attributed severe respiratory infections in children to this agent (7,8). We investigated whether this agent played a role in the respiratory exacerbations of children and adolescents with CF who attended the Instituto da Crinaça, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo.

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