Rhinovirus dynamics across different social structures

Luka, M.M. and Otieno, J.R. and Kamau, E. and Morobe, J.M. and Murunga, N. and Adema, I. and Nyiro, J.U. and Macharia, P.M. and Bigogo, G. and Otieno, N.A. and Nyawanda, B.O. and Rabaa, M.A. and Emukule, G.O. and Onyango, C. and Munywoki, P.K. and Agoti, C.N. and Nokes, D.J. (2023) Rhinovirus dynamics across different social structures. npj Viruses, 1 (1): 6. ISSN 2948-1767

Abstract

Rhinoviruses (RV), common human respiratory viruses, exhibit significant antigenic diversity, yet their dynamics across distinct social structures remain poorly understood. Our study delves into RV dynamics within Kenya by analysing VP4/2 sequences across four different social structures: households, a public primary school, outpatient clinics in the Kilifi Health and Demographics Surveillance System (HDSS), and countrywide hospital admissions and outpatients. The study revealed the greatest diversity of RV infections at the countrywide level (114 types), followed by the Kilifi HDSS (78 types), the school (47 types), and households (40 types), cumulatively representing >90% of all known RV types. Notably, RV diversity correlated directly with the size of the population under observation, and several RV type variants occasionally fuelled RV infection waves. Our findings highlight the critical role of social structures in shaping RV dynamics, information that can be leveraged to enhance public health strategies. Future research should incorporate whole-genome analysis to understand fine-scale evolution across various social structures. © The Author(s) 2023.