DETECÇÃO DO RINOVÍRUS HUMANO EM PACIENTES COM INFECÇÃO RESPIRATÓRIA AGUDA EM GUARAPUAVA-PR

Abstract

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Respiratory viruses are responsible for most of the IRA, among them, the human rhinovirus (HRV) is the most frequently identified. The HRV was known as the "common cold virus", an infection limited to the upper respiratory tract with mild symptoms. It is now known that HRV is responsible for more severe syndromes, infecting also the lower respiratory tract and causing life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma exacerbations. The HRV infects individuals of all ages in similar proportions, with a slight tendency to infect young children most often. This virus seems to circulate during all seasons of the year with a slight increase in the colder months. To date there is no effective treatment against HRV, nor vaccine, due to the existence of more than 160 strains divided among species A, B and C, against which the antibodies exhibit little cross-reactivity. In this study, an epidemiological surveillance HRV in patients with ARI was conducted in a primary care health unit of Guarapuava-PR city, from April to December 2014, in order to estimate an epidemiological profile of this virus in the region. 135 nasal swab samples were collected from patients aged 1-82 years. Information on the clinical presentation, use of medicines for treating ARI, and others were collected. Samples were tested by RT-PCR for detection of HRV, and about 20% yielded a positive result. HRV was detected in patients of all ages. The highest detection rates were found in May and August, relative months to autumn and winter, respectively, in Brazil. The symptoms of HRV positive patients were variable, there were common cold cases, but a relation between HRV infection and influenza-like illness (ILI) presentation was also observed. Symptomatic treatment for ARI reported by patients showed a good level of adaptation to the current literature, but inappropriate use of antibiotics was observed in some cases. The results show a significant detection of HRV in cases of ARI, some with more severe symptoms than expected common cold condition, which is consistent with the current literature and highlights the impact that this virus causes on the local population.