WU Polyomavirus Associated with Severe Respiratory Failure in Children

BACKGROUND: WU polyomavirus (WUPyV) is a relatively new virus associated with respiratory infections. However, its role is unclear in children with severe respiratory failure. We aimed to evaluate characteristics of severe respiratory failure associated with WUPyV in children. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of respiratory tract infection at a tertiary children’s hospital in Tokyo between April 2010 and April 2017. We performed real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for WUPyV using residual extracted nucleic acid samples taken from respiratory tract samples of pediatric patients, primarily with respiratory failure. We investigated the clinical characteristics of patients positive for WUPyV. Samples positive for WUPyV were evaluated for co-infection with fast-track diagnostic kit (FTD-2); a multiplex PCR capable of detecting 21 respiratory pathogens. RESULTS: WUPyV was detected in 14 among 318 samples obtained from respiratory tract infections. Median age was 34 months old and males were predominant (n = 11, 64%). Underlying disease was found in 11 (79%) cases, including five cases of preterm children and three immunocompromised patients. The most common clinical diagnosis was pneumonia (n = 13, 93%). Majority of the respiratory samples were endotracheal tube aspirates (n = 11, 79%) and the remaining were nasopharyngeal swabs. Co- infection was found in eight (57%) cases. WUPyV was the only pathogen detected in six cases, including two preterm children and one immunocompromised patient. Nine cases required mechanical ventilation, and two cases required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). CONCLUSION: WUPyV was detected from children with severe respiratory failure due to pneumonia, independently or concurrently with other pathogens, especially in preterm and immunocompromised patients. DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.