Human Bocavirus Transmission and Illness Among Pregnant Mothers and Infants in Ugandan Households. (4th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martin, Emily T; Evans, Richard; Krantz, Elizabeth M; Kuypers, Jane; Selke, Stacy; Wald, Anna; Corey, Lawrence; Casper, Corey; Gantt, Soren
• Is Part Of: Open forum infectious diseases. Volume 4(2017)Supplement 1
• Page Start: S690
• Page End: S690
• Publication Date: 2017-10-04
• Subjects: Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofx163.1848
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2328-8957

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Human bocavirus 1 (HBoV-1) is a parvovirus associated with respiratory illness and prolonged oral shedding after primary infection in young children. HBoV-1 has been infrequently detected in healthy adults, and little is known about potential sources of HBoV-1 infections in infants. Methods: Oropharyngeal swabs and symptom data were collected weekly from a prospective cohort of 17 HIV-1 infected and 15 uninfected pregnant women, their newborn infants, and other preschool aged children. HBoV-1 DNA was measured by real-time PCR; and a primary HBoV-1 infection was defined as the first occurrence of 2 consecutive positive HBoV-1 swabs in an infant followed from birth. Symptoms at primary infection were compared within each infant to two control periods in a case-crossover design. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate risk of acquisition in infants. Results: Of 32 infants enrolled, 29 (91%) were infected with HBoV-1 during a median follow-up of 57 (range 4–120) weeks (Figure). Primary infection occurred at a median age of 26 weeks (range 2–60 weeks), and was associated with new onset of cough (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.03–3.04) and rhinorrhea (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.27–5.27). Nineteen (66%) infants with primary HBoV-1 infection had a mother or sibling in the home with HBoV-1 shedding within the prior 2 weeks. In 11 of these cases, HBoV-1 shedding was observed in both the mother and sibling. Risk of acquisition was associated with concurrent household shedding among children with primary events (HR 3.23; 95% CI 1.24–8.41). Five women (16%) had HBoV-1 DNA detected during pregnancy, of whom all were HIV+. Two pregnant women with HBoV-1 during their third trimester had a young child in the home who shed HBoV-1 within 2 weeks. Conclusion: Our finding of concurrent HBoV-1 DNA shedding among family members suggests frequent household transmission. HBoV-1 primary infection was associated with mild respiratory illness in this cohort of African infants, similar to studies done in the United States. Although mRNA confirmation of infection was not available, serial sampling from birth enabled unambiguous determination of primary HBoV-1 events in infants. The clinical significance of HBoV-1 detection in pregnant women remains unknown. Disclosures: E. T. Martin, Pfizer: Scientific Advisor, Research grant; Merck: Scientific Advisor, Research grant; Multiparty Group For Advice on Science: Scientific Advisor, Research grant