Ayşe ÇAPAR, Şeyma BAŞLILAR
Atlas Üniversitesi Tıp ve Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi - 2026;6(2):157-158
Human bocavirus (HBoV), a member of the Parvoviridae family, has increasingly been recognized as a respiratory pathogen, predominantly in pediatric populations; however, its clinical relevance in adults remains insufficiently characterized. Although the detection rate of HBoV in adults is relatively low, accumulating evidence suggests that it may be associated with clinically significant lower respiratory tract infections, ranging from mild symptoms to severe pneumonia requiring intensive care support. A major challenge in interpreting HBoV infection is its unclear pathogenic role. The frequent detection of viral DNA in asymptomatic individuals and the high rate of coinfections complicate the attribution of causality. Indeed, studies have shown that HBoV may act either as a primary pathogen or as a cofactor that exacerbates respiratory infections caused by other viruses. These findings underscore the importance of careful clinical interpretation, particularly in adult patients.
