High genotypic diversity of Rhinoviruses obtained from Tunisian children with severe acute respiratory infection

Authors

  • Sondes Haddad-Boubaker Laboratory of Microbiology of Bechir Hamza Children’s Hospital, Tunis, Bab Saadoun Square, Tunisia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9705-4387
  • Khaoula Mefteh Laboratory of Microbiology of Bechir Hamza Children’s Hospital, Tunis, Bab Saadoun Square, Tunisia
  • Chaima Mejri Laboratory of Microbiology of Bechir Hamza Children’s Hospital, Tunis, Bab Saadoun Square, Tunisia
  • Aida Bouaffsoun Laboratory of Microbiology of Bechir Hamza Children’s Hospital, Tunis, Bab Saadoun Square, Tunisia
  • Awatef El Moussi Laboratory of Microbiology, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
  • Ilhem Boutiba Laboratory of Microbiology, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
  • Khaled Mnif Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital in Tunis, Tunisia
  • Amin Slim Laboratory of Microbiology, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
  • Amel Kechrid Laboratory of Microbiology of Bechir Hamza Children’s Hospital, Tunis, Bab Saadoun Square, Tunisia
  • Hanen Smaoui Laboratory of Microbiology of Bechir Hamza Children’s Hospital, Tunis, Bab Saadoun Square, Tunisia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4026-0259

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.12880

Keywords:

Rhinovirus, incidence, Type, Tunisia, SARI

Abstract

Introduction: Rhinoviruses (HRV) are among the leading causes of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). Their burden and genetic diversity vary from one region to another and little is known in Northern African regions. This study describes epidemiological patterns and genotypic diversity of HRV in SARI cases during a two and half year’s study, in Northern Tunisia.

Methodology: A total of 271 SARI cases, admitted into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital in Tunis, were collected between September 2015 and December 2017. The investigation concerned 104 samples positive for HRV and/or HEV (Human Enterovirus) obtained among these cases. Specific HRV and HEV detections were assessed by real-time PCRs. The HRV molecular typing was based on the VP4-VP2 genomic region analyses.

Results: Among the viral SARI cases, 33.5% and 12.3% were positive for HRV and HEV respectively. Molecular investigations showed high prevalence of HRV-A (63.3%) followed by HRV-C (30.6%) and HRV-B (6.1%) and high genotypic diversity with 27 types. HRV cases were mostly detected in toddlers younger than 6 months. A total of 16 cases (28%) were found with bacterial and/or viral co-infection. HRV-C infection and HRV-A with bacterial co-infection were associated with complicated infection. Some of the detected types showed a continuous circulation or turnover during an extended period. HRV-A101 and HRV-C45 were the most frequently detected types.

Conclusions: This study revealed, for the first time, the high HRV diversity in Tunisia, a North-African region. Specific phylogenetic investigations may help to evaluate their diversity and to trace their spread and epidemiological origin.

Author Biographies

Sondes Haddad-Boubaker, Laboratory of Microbiology of Bechir Hamza Children’s Hospital, Tunis, Bab Saadoun Square, Tunisia

Assistant professor,PhD

currently working in the laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference laboratory for poliomyelitis and Measles foe EMRO region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunisia

Khaoula Mefteh, Laboratory of Microbiology of Bechir Hamza Children’s Hospital, Tunis, Bab Saadoun Square, Tunisia

Assistant Professor, MD

Laboratory of Microbiology, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital in Tunis, Tunisia

Chaima Mejri, Laboratory of Microbiology of Bechir Hamza Children’s Hospital, Tunis, Bab Saadoun Square, Tunisia

Master degree student

Aida Bouaffsoun, Laboratory of Microbiology of Bechir Hamza Children’s Hospital, Tunis, Bab Saadoun Square, Tunisia

assistant Professor, MD

Awatef El Moussi, Laboratory of Microbiology, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia

Post-doctoral student

Ilhem Boutiba, Laboratory of Microbiology, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia

Professor, head of Laboratory of Microbiology, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia

Khaled Mnif, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital in Tunis, Tunisia

Associate Professor, MD

Amin Slim , Laboratory of Microbiology, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia

Professor, MD

Head of Laboratory

Amel Kechrid, Laboratory of Microbiology of Bechir Hamza Children’s Hospital, Tunis, Bab Saadoun Square, Tunisia

Professor, MD

Head of laboratory

Hanen Smaoui, Laboratory of Microbiology of Bechir Hamza Children’s Hospital, Tunis, Bab Saadoun Square, Tunisia

Professor, MD

Head of laboratory

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Published

2021-05-31

How to Cite

1.
Haddad-Boubaker S, Mefteh K, Mejri C, Bouaffsoun A, El Moussi A, Boutiba I, Mnif K, Slim A, Kechrid A, Smaoui H (2021) High genotypic diversity of Rhinoviruses obtained from Tunisian children with severe acute respiratory infection. J Infect Dev Ctries 15:726–735. doi: 10.3855/jidc.12880

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Section

Original Articles