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. 2008 May;152(5):661-5.
doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2007.10.043. Epub 2008 Jan 22.

Respiratory viruses in laryngeal croup of young children

Heikki Rihkanen  1 , Esa Rönkkö, Tea Nieminen, Kaija-Leena Komsi, Riitta Räty, Harri Saxen, Thedi Ziegler, Merja Roivainen, Maria Söderlund-Venermo, Anne Lahtinen Beng, Tapani Hovi, Anne Pitkäranta
Affiliations

Respiratory viruses in laryngeal croup of young children

Heikki Rihkanen et al. J Pediatr. 2008 May.

Erratum in

  • J Pediatr. 2008 Jul;153(1):151. Anne, Lahtinen [corrected to Beng, Anne Lahtinen]

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the viral cause of laryngeal croup by use of highly sensitive methods, and including recently recognized viruses in the analysis.

Study design: One hundred forty-four consecutive children with hoarse voice and inspiratory stridor attending the emergency department were enrolled. Age- and season-matched children presenting with a wheezing illness served as control subjects (n = 76). Nasopharyngeal swabs were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction for rhinovirus and enterovirus, coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), influenza A and B virus, human bocavirus, human metapneumovirus, adenovirus, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Results: Virus infection was documented in 80% of patients with croup and 71% of control subjects. Children with croup had significantly more positive test results for PIV 1 and 2 (31% vs 4% and 6% vs 0%, respectively) and significantly fewer positive test results for RSV (15% vs 28%) than wheezing children. Rhinoviruses and enteroviruses were present equally in both groups (21% vs 25%). There was no significant difference in the frequency of influenza A virus or human bocavirus. Few subjects with adenovirus or M. pneumoniae were detected.

Conclusion: Acute laryngeal croup is most often associated with PIV, RSV, rhinovirus, and enterovirus. Rhinovirus and enterovirus appeared equally often in croup and in wheezing illness. During late fall, they were found in 39% and 40%, respectively, of the tested samples.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
Number of patients with laryngeal croup and positive virus findings during 1-year study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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