Rhinovirus infection in hospitalised children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The molecular epidemiology and clinical disease severity of infections with Human rhinoviruses in hospitalised children at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust
IRAS ID
155156
Contact name
Carol-Anne McInally
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham University Hospitals Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) are one of the main aetiological agents responsible for respiratory tract infections and within certain subsections of the population, such as young children, infection with these viruses can often be severe. In recent years the severity of infections with HRVs has started to be assessed in this vulnerable group.
Published studies of lower respiratory tract infections in hospitalised children show that HRVs are the most prevalent of the respiratory viruses isolated with detection of the virus prevalent throughout the year. HRVs are divided into three species termed Rhinovirus A, Rhinovirus B and Rhinovirus C with over 150 serotypes identified. The aim of this study is to determine the molecular epidemiology and clinical disease severity of HRVs infections in children under two years old admitted to Nottingham University Hospitals Trust (NUH) over the period of one year.
Clinical samples will be obtained through the routine diagnostic pathway for viral respiratory pathogen detection within the Department of Clinical Microbiology at NUH. During the period of January 2014 to January 2015 the clinical samples which are positive for HRVs and which meet the exclusion criteria will be collected and the molecular epidemiology of the HRVs determined. Information on the disease severity will be obtained from the clinical notes through case note review by a member of the clinical care team.
The samples will be subtyped by amplification of the 5’UTR and the VP4/2 regions. The PCR products will be sent for Sanger sequencing. Analysis of the sequencing data will be used to subtype the HRVs and generate molecular epidemiology data on all the clinical samples. Statistical analysis will be performed on the associations between determined HRVs subtypes with clinical information, such as the requirement and level of respiratory support, to evaluate any potential links with specific subtypes and clinical severity.REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/2298
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion