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

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. © 2012 Franco et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.