Evidence of a novel human coronavirus that is associated with respiratory tract disease in infants and young children

Frank Esper, Carla Weibel, David Ferguson, Marie L Landry, Jeffrey S Kahn, Frank Esper, Carla Weibel, David Ferguson, Marie L Landry, Jeffrey S Kahn

Abstract

Background: The etiological agents responsible for a substantial proportion of respiratory tract diseases have not been identified. We sought to determine whether novel human coronaviruses (HCoVs) are circulating in New Haven, Connecticut, and, if so, whether they are associated with respiratory tract disease in infants and young children.

Methods: We developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approach for screening specimens from the respiratory tracts of symptomatic children. PCR probes that target regions of the replicase 1a gene that are conserved among genetically diverse animal CoVs and HCoVs were designed. Using these probes, we identified genomic sequences of a novel HCoV, designated "New Haven coronavirus" (HCoV-NH). Thereafter, we designed specific probes to screen respiratory specimens from children <5 years old for this novel HCoV. Clinical features associated with HCoV-NH infection were identified.

Results: Seventy-nine (8.8%) of 895 children tested positive for HCoV-NH. Cough, rhinorrhea, tachypnea, fever, abnormal breath sounds, and hypoxia were the most common findings associated with HCoV-NH infection. Sequence analysis revealed that HCoV-NH is closely related to a novel HCoV recently reported in The Netherlands.

Conclusions: The novel HCoVs identified in New Haven and The Netherlands are similar and likely represent the same species. This newly discovered virus may have worldwide distribution and may account for a significant proportion of respiratory tract disease in infants and young children.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Age distribution of New Haven coronavirus (HCoV-NH)-positive children

Figure 2.

Weekly distribution of New Haven…

Figure 2.

Weekly distribution of New Haven coronavirus (HCoV-NH)-positive children

Figure 2.
Weekly distribution of New Haven coronavirus (HCoV-NH)-positive children

Figure 3.

Phylogenetic analysis of New Haven…

Figure 3.

Phylogenetic analysis of New Haven coronavirus (HCoV-NH). To construct the phylogenetic tree, sequences…

Figure 3.
Phylogenetic analysis of New Haven coronavirus (HCoV-NH). To construct the phylogenetic tree, sequences of a 126-bp portion of the replicase 1a gene of a representative sample of HCoV-NH (NH) amplicons, the HCoV recently identified in The Netherlands (NL-63), HCoV-229E, and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) were used.

Table 2.

Respiratory specimens from children

Table 2.

Respiratory specimens from children

Table 2.
Respiratory specimens from children
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References
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Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Weekly distribution of New Haven coronavirus (HCoV-NH)-positive children

Figure 3.

Phylogenetic analysis of New Haven…

Figure 3.

Phylogenetic analysis of New Haven coronavirus (HCoV-NH). To construct the phylogenetic tree, sequences…

Figure 3.
Phylogenetic analysis of New Haven coronavirus (HCoV-NH). To construct the phylogenetic tree, sequences of a 126-bp portion of the replicase 1a gene of a representative sample of HCoV-NH (NH) amplicons, the HCoV recently identified in The Netherlands (NL-63), HCoV-229E, and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) were used.

Table 2.

Respiratory specimens from children

Table 2.

Respiratory specimens from children

Table 2.
Respiratory specimens from children
Comment in
Similar articles
Cited by
References
    1. Murray CJL, Lopez AD, Mathers CD, Stein C. Global programme on evidence for health policy. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2001. The global burden of disease 2000 project: aims, methods and data sources.
    1. Davies HD, Matlow A, Petric M, Glazier R, Wang EE. Prospective comparative study of viral, bacterial and atypical organisms identified in pneumonia and bronchiolitis in hospitalized Canadian infants. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1996;15:371–5. - PubMed
    1. Ruiz M, Ewig S, Marcos MA, et al. Etiology of community-acquired pneumonia: impact of age, comorbidity, and severity. Am J Resp Crit Care Med. 1999;160:397–405. - PubMed
    1. Wright AL, Taussig LM, Ray CG, Harrison HR, Holberg CJ. The Tucson Children's Respiratory Study. II. Lower respiratory tract illness in the first year of life. Am J Epidemiol. 1989;129:1232–46. - PubMed
    1. Ksiazek TG, Erdman D, Goldsmith CS, et al. A novel coronavirus associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2003;348:1953–66. - PubMed
Show all 20 references
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
[x]
Cite
Copy Download .nbib
Format: AMA APA MLA NLM
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Phylogenetic analysis of New Haven coronavirus (HCoV-NH). To construct the phylogenetic tree, sequences of a 126-bp portion of the replicase 1a gene of a representative sample of HCoV-NH (NH) amplicons, the HCoV recently identified in The Netherlands (NL-63), HCoV-229E, and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) were used.
Table 2.
Table 2.
Respiratory specimens from children

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