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Throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic, rhinovirus (RV) remained notable persistence, maintaining its presence while other seasonal respiratory viruses were largely suppressed by pandemic restrictions during national lockdowns. This research explores the epidemiological dynamics of RV infections among pediatric populations on Hainan Island, China, specifically focusing on the impact before and after the zero‐COVID policy was lifted. From January 2021 to December 2023, 19 680 samples were collected from pediatric patients hospitalized with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) at the Hainan Maternal and Child Health Hospital. The infection of RV was detected by tNGS. RV species and subtypes were identified in 32 RV‐positive samples representing diverse time points by analyzing the VP4/VP2 partial regions. Among the 19 680 pediatric inpatients with ARTIs analyzed, 21.55% were found to be positive for RV infection, with notable peaks observed in April 2021 and November 2022. A gradual annual decline in RV infections was observed, alongside a seasonal pattern of higher prevalence during the colder months. The highest proportion of RV infections was observed in the 0–1‐year age group. Phylogenetic analysis on 32 samples indicated a trend from RV‐A to RV‐C in 2022. This observation suggests potential evolving dynamics within the RV species although further studies are needed due to the limited sample size. The research emphasizes the necessity for ongoing surveillance and targeted management, particularly for populations highly susceptible to severe illnesses caused by RV infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) are the leading causes of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs), particularly in children. During the COVID-19 pandemic, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) significantly influenced the epidemiology of respiratory viruses. This study analyzed 19,339 respiratory specimens from pediatric patients with ARTIs to detect HPIVs using PCR or tNGS, focusing on the period from 2021 to 2023. HPIVs were identified in 1395 patients (7.21%, 1395/19,339), with annual detection rates of 6.86% (303/4419) in 2021, 6.38% (331/5188) in 2022, and 7.82% (761/9732) in 2023. Notably, both the total number of tests and HPIV-positive cases increased in 2023 compared to 2021 and 2022. Seasonal analysis revealed a shift in HPIV prevalence from winter and spring in 2021-2022 to spring and summer in 2023. Most HPIV-positive cases were in children aged 0-7 years, with fewer infections among those aged 7-18 years. Since June 2022, HPIV-3 has been the most prevalent serotype (59.55%, 524/880), whereas HPIV-2 had the lowest proportion (0.80%, 7/880). The proportions of HPIV-1 (24.89%, 219/880) and HPIV-4 (15.45%, 136/880) were similar. Additionally, the incidence of co-infections with other common respiratory pathogens has increased since 2021. This study highlights rising HPIV detection rates post-COVID-19 and underscores the need for continuous surveillance of HPIVs to inform public health strategies for future epidemic seasons.

Unlabelled: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and causes acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV is an enveloped virus with a relaxed circular (RC) DNA genome. In the nuclei of infected human hepatocytes, conversion of RC DNA from the incoming virion or cytoplasmic mature nucleocapsid (NC) to the covalently closed circular (CCC) DNA, which serves as the template for producing all viral transcripts, is essential to establish and sustain viral replication. A prerequisite for CCC DNA formation is the uncoating (disassembly) of NCs to expose their RC DNA content for conversion to CCC DNA. We report here that in an immortalized mouse hepatocyte cell line, AML12HBV10, in which RC DNA exposure is enhanced, the exposed viral DNA could trigger an innate immune response that was able to modulate viral gene expression and replication. When viral gene expression and replication were low, the innate response initially stimulated these processes but subsequently acted to shut off viral gene expression and replication after they reached peak levels. Inhibition of viral DNA synthesis or cellular DNA sensing and innate immune signaling diminished the innate response. These results indicate that HBV DNA, when exposed in the host cell cytoplasm, can function to trigger an innate immune response that, in turn, modulates viral gene expression and replication., Importance: Chronic infection by hepatitis B virus (HBV) afflicts hundreds of millions worldwide and is sustained by the episomal covalently closed circular (CCC) DNA in the nuclei of infected hepatocytes. Release of viral genomic DNA from cytoplasmic nucleocapsids (NCs) (NC disassembly or uncoating) is a prerequisite for its conversion to CCC DNA, which can also potentially expose the viral DNA to host DNA sensors and trigger an innate immune response. We have found that in an immortalized mouse hepatocyte cell line in which efficient CCC DNA formation was associated with enhanced exposure of nucleocapsid-associated DNA, the exposed viral DNA indeed triggered host cytoplasmic DNA sensing and an innate immune response that was able to modulate HBV gene expression and replication. Thus, HBV can, under select conditions, be recognized by the host innate immune response through exposed viral DNA, which may be exploited therapeutically to clear viral persistence., (Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)