A novel pancoronavirus RT-PCR assay: frequent detection of human coronavirus NL63 in children hospitalized with respiratory tract infections in Belgium.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Four human coronaviruses are currently known to infect the respiratory tract: human coronaviruses OC43 (HCoV-OC43) and 229E (HCoV-229E), SARS associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the recently identified human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63). In this study we explored the incidence of HCoV-NL63 infection in children diagnosed with respiratory tract infections in Belgium.

Methods

Samples from children hospitalized with respiratory diseases during the winter seasons of 2003 and 2004 were evaluated for the presence of HCoV-NL63 using a optimized pancoronavirus RT-PCR assay.

Results

Seven HCoV-NL63 positive samples were identified, six were collected during January/February 2003 and one at the end of February 2004.

Conclusions

Our results support the notati

SUBMITTER: Moes E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC549190 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature