The study of the viral etiology in the infectious exacerbations of chronic bronchitis in Ukraine

Background: Exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (CB) is a risk factor for death, hospitalizations, respiratory symptoms worsening, limitation of physical activity and disability of the patients. The causes of 60.0 to 80.0% of all exacerbations of CB are infectious, mostly viral, pathogens. Aim: to investigate the viral etiology of the infectious exacerbations of chronic bronchitis in Ukraine. Methods: The sampled biological material of a smear of nasal cavity mucousa was studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 100 patients (18-75 years old) with infectious exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. Results: Viral agents of the CB exacerbation were detected in 49,0% of the patients. The viruses were represented by Adenovirus in 12.0% and Rhinovirus in 12.0% subjects. The common viruses also were Human Parainfluenza virus 1/3 in 6.0% of the patients. The frequency of 4.0% was observed for Methapneumovirus and Influenza A virus. The rare cases were Human Parainfluenza virus 2/4 in 3.0%, Respiratory syncytial virus in 3.0%, Bocavirus in 3.0% and Influenza B virus in only 2.0% subjects. Conclusions: The viral causes of the CB infectious exacerbations compound the half of all cases. The most common viral pathogens that caused infectious exacerbations of chronic bronchitis in Ukraine are Adenovirus, Rhinovirus and Human Parainfluenza virus.