Open Access Short report

High genetic diversity and predominance of Rhinovirus A and C from Panamanian hospitalized children under five years with respiratory infections

Danilo Franco1, Adriana Delfraro2, Leyda Abrego1, Maria Cano1, Celedonio Castillo1, Marlene Castillo1, Juan Castillo1, Juan Pascale1,3 and Juan Arbiza1,2*

Author Affiliations

1 Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Panama City, Panamá

2 Sección Virologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay

3 School of Medicine, University of Panama, Panama City, Panama

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Virology Journal 2012, 9:257 doi:10.1186/1743-422X-9-257

Published: 1 November 2012

Abstract

Background

Human Rhinoviruses (HRVs) have high genetic diversity and three species have been described: HRV-A, HRV-B, and the recently recognized HRV-C, which has been rapidly identified worldwide.

Findings

In the present study, we report the frequency and diversity of Human Rhinovirus (HRV) strains circulating in Panama from children hospitalized with respiratory infections.

Conclusions

HRVs of species A, B and C have been identified with a predominance of HRV-A and HRV-C over HRV-B, and marked genetic diversity within each species.

Keywords:
Rhinovirus; Panama; Genetic diversity