Rhinovirus-Infected Patients in the COVID-19 Pandemic Period

Abstract

Yuji Watanabe,1,2 Yasuhiro Kamioka,1,3 Masafumi Seki1 1Division of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital, Sendai City, Miyagi, Japan; 2Laboratory for Clinical Microbiology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital, Sendai City, Miyagi, Japan; 3Department of Pharmacy, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital, Sendai City, Miyagi, JapanCorrespondence: Masafumi SekiDivision of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital, 1-12-1 Fukumuro, Miyagino-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi, 983-8612, JapanTel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [email protected]: Human rhinovirus (HRV) is known as one of the most important respiratory pathogens, and the clinical characteristics of HRV infection might be similar to those of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We identified 11 HRV-infected patients by polymerase chain reactions of the HRV genes among 151 outpatients with fever. All nine adult patients had underlying diseases and finally improved with the appropriate treatment in this COVID-19 pandemic period. Differential diagnosis between HRV and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection will be needed to save lives and medical resources.Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, human rhinovirus, PCR, antimicrobial stewardship

Keywords

• sars-cov-2
• human rhinovirus
• pcr
• antimicrobial stewardship