Trends and Intensity of Rhinovirus Invasions in Kilifi, Coastal Kenya, Over a 12-Year Period, 2007–2018. (16th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mwita Morobe, John; Kamau, Everlyn; Murunga, Nickson; Gatua, Winfred; Luka, Martha M; Lewa, Clement; Cheruiyot, Robinson; Mutunga, Martin; Odundo, Calleb; James Nokes, D; Agoti, Charles N
• Is Part Of: Open forum infectious diseases. Volume 8:Number 12(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11-16
• Subjects: coastal Kenya -- invasion -- long-term surveillance -- persistence -- rhinovirus; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab571
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2328-8957

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Rhinoviruses (RVs) are ubiquitous pathogens and the principal etiological agents of common cold. Despite the high frequency of RV infections, data describing their long-term epidemiological patterns in a defined population remain limited. Methods: Here, we analyzed 1070 VP4/VP2 genomic region sequences sampled at Kilifi County Hospital on the Kenya coast. The samples were collected between 2007 and 2018 from hospitalized pediatric patients (<60 months of age) with acute respiratory illness. Results: Of 7231 children enrolled, RV was detected in 1497 (20.7%) and VP4/VP2 sequences were recovered from 1070 samples (71.5%). A total of 144 different RV types were identified (67 Rhinovirus A, 18 Rhinovirus B, and 59 Rhinovirus C ) and at any month, several types co-circulated with alternating predominance. Within types, multiple genetically divergent variants were observed. Ongoing RV infections through time appeared to be a combination of (1) persistent types (observed up to 7 consecutive months), (2) reintroduced genetically distinct variants, and (3) new invasions (average of 8 new types annually). Conclusions: Sustained RV presence in the Kilifi community is mainly due to frequent invasion by new types and variants rather than continuous transmission of locally established types/variants.