Plastic Bronchitis of Human Bocavirus 1 Detected by Comprehensive Polymerase Chain Reaction of Mucus Casts

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases Vol. 76; no. 2; pp. 155 - 158
• Main Authors: Yabushita, Hiroki, Otake, Shogo, Iida, Shun, Katano, Harutaka, Suzuki, Tadaki, Kasai, Masashi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases 31.03.2023; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Airway management; Allergic diseases; Bronchitis; Bronchitis - complications; Bronchitis - diagnosis; Cardiovascular diseases; Case reports; Child; Heart diseases; human bocavirus; Human bocavirus - genetics; Humans; Infant; Inflammation; Influenza A; Influenza A virus; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Mucus; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; Parainfluenza; Parvoviridae Infections - complications; Parvoviridae Infections - diagnosis; Pediatrics; plastic bronchitis; Plastics; Polymerase chain reaction; Respiratory diseases; Respiratory syncytial virus; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Respiratory Tract Infections; Viruses; plastic bronchitis; polymerase chain reaction; pediatrics; human bocavirus
• DOI: 10.7883/yoken.JJID.2022.433
• ISSN: 1344-6304; 1884-2836

Plastic bronchitis (PB) is a rare and severe respiratory disease characterized by the formation of branching mucus casts, resulting in airway obstruction. PB can be divided into two types. Type 1 PB is primarily caused by inflammatory casts that result from allergic diseases. In type 2 PB, mucinous casts are produced in association with congenital heart disease. PB is also associated with viral respiratory infections, particularly the influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus, which is the most common pathogen affecting pediatric patients. Herein, we report a case of severe type 1 PB caused by human bocavirus (HBoV)1 in a child. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of a nasopharyngeal swab revealed the presence of respiratory syncytial virus and human parainfluenza virus 3. However, no viruses other than HBoV1 were detected in mucus casts by real-time PCR. Consequently, we suggest that HBoV can cause PB in pediatric patients, and direct and comprehensive PCR of bronchial casts may be useful for identifying the etiologic agents.