Recurrent Wheezing After Human Bocavirus Lower Respiratory Tract Illnesses in Early Life / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Excluding RSV, the relationship between bronchiolitis caused by viruses and the development of wheezing and atopy in childhood has not been well studied. We studied this relationship in children who had bronchiolitis caused by human bocavirus before 2 years of age. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 2,430 throat swab obstained between January 2005 and December 2007 from pediatric in-patients with acute respiratory tract disease at the Kwangju Christian Hospital. Human bocavirus was detected in 112 patients. A total of 61 patients less than 2 years of age were finally enrolled in this study. Patients were followed up between April and June of 2008. We measured the frequency of wheezing and atopic status using (allergy skin-prick tests, CAP tests and MAST tests). RESULTS: Of the 61 patients, 16 (26.2%) had recurrent wheezing. Of these 16 patients, 8 (13.1%) had Infrequent wheezing (1-2 wheezing episodes) and 8 (13.1%) had frequent wheezing (3 and over wheezing episodes). Of the total 61 patients, 18 (29.5%) completed allergy tests. Of the 18 patients, 10 (55.6%) were sensitized to at least 1 allergen. Recurrent wheezing was significantly associated with the severity of bronchiolitis (mild vs. moderate vs. severe; 9.1% vs. 22.2% vs. 66.7%). CONCLUSION: Human bocavirus-induced bronchiolitis in childhood are an independent risk factor for development of wheezing in childhood and may be associated with an increased risk of allergic sensitization. The most important risk factor for recurrent wheezing is the severity of lower respiratory tract illnesses.