Human Coronavirus NL63, France

Human Coronavirus NL63, France

Astrid Vabret, Thomas Mourez, Julia Dina, Lia van der Hoek, Stephanie Gouarin, Joëlle Petitjean, Jacques Brouard, Francois Freymuth

The human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) was first identified in the Netherlands, and its circulation in France has not been investigated. We studied HCoV-NL63 infection in hospitalized children diagnosed with respiratory tract infections. From November 2002 to April 2003, we evaluated 300 respiratory specimens for HCoV-NL63. Of the 300 samples, 28 (9.3%) were positive for HCoV-NL63. The highest prevalence was found in February (18%). The main symptoms were fever (61%), rhinitis (39%), bronchiolitis (39%), digestive problems (33%), otitis (28%), pharyngitis (22%), and conjunctivitis (17%). A fragment of the spike protein gene was sequenced to determine the variety of circulating HCoV-NL63. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that strains with different genetic markers cocirculate in France.

2005

Keywords: phylogenetic analysis, coronavirus NL63, molecular detection, Pneumonia, Bronchiolitis, Multiplex assay

DOI: 10.3201/eid1108.050110

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Infectious and parasitic diseases, Medicine

EN