Detection of human bocaviruses 1, 2 and 3 in Irish children presenting with gastroenteritis

Abstract

Human bocavirus has been increasingly detected worldwide in patients suffering from gastroenteritis, with the highest incidence reported in children aged between 6 and 24 months. A total of 155 non-bacterial gastroenteritis samples consisting of rotavirus-, adenovirus- and norovirus-positive specimens were collected from patients in the Munster region of Ireland from 2006-2008. Of these 155, a total of 12 were positive for the presence of human bocavirus. Three types of human bocavirus were identified: HBoV1, 2 and 3. In addition, recombinant strains (n=4) were also isolated. This is the first report of all three types of HBoV being detected in southern Ireland.