Prevalence of rotavirus and human bocavirus in immunosuppressed individuals after renal transplantation in the Northern Region of Brazil

Immunosuppressive therapy causes severe impairment of host defense and diarrhea is a frequent complication in renal transplant recipients. This study aimed to describe the occurrence of Rotavirus A (RVA) and Human Bocavirus (HBoV) in fecal samples of immunosuppressed patients submitted to renal transplantation during posttransplant follow-up. A longitudinal study was carried out involving a 25-patient cohort, selected for kidney transplantation. A total of 126 fecal samples were collected between May 2014 and May 2016. Molecular techniques were used to detect and characterize circulating RVA and HBoV genotypes and statistical analysis were applied to verify the association between epidemiological and clinical characteristics. The prevalence of RVA and HBoV was 24% (6/25) and 40% (10/25), respectively. Among RVA and HBoV positive cases, the majority was female; did not conduct water treatment nor had adequate sewage facilities. The most detected genotypes were RVA G3 (62.5%) and HBoV-3 (95%). Phylogenetic analysis of HBoV strains indicated that studied samples were similar to those found in Asian and American countries. The present study point out the circulation of these viral agents among immunosuppressed individuals and these findings will enable the construction of new knowledge and care perspectives on the cause of diarrhea in this population.