Medical expert of the article
New publications
The causes and pathogenesis of rhinovirus infection
Last reviewed: 19.10.2021
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Causes of rhinovirus infection
There are 113 serovars of rhinoviruses, cross serological reactions have been detected between individual serovars. As a subgroup, rhinoviruses are included in the picornavirus group . Virions with a diameter of 20-30 nm contain RNA. Many properties of rhinoviruses are similar to the properties of enteroviruses. They reproduce well in the culture of human fibroblasts of human embryos and in organ cultures of the epithelium of human trachea and ferrets. Poor in the environment.
Pathogenesis of rhinovirus infection
The entrance gate of the infection is the mucous membrane of the nose. Reproduction of the virus in the epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract leads to the emergence of a local inflammation focus, which is accompanied by mucosal edema expressed by hypersecretion. In severe cases, it is possible to penetrate the virus from the site of primary localization to the general bloodstream, there is viremia, which is clinically accompanied by the appearance of general weakness, weakness, muscle pain, etc. Due to the weakening of local protection, bacterial infection can become active, which causes complications - otitis, tracheobronchitis, pneumonia .
On the site of the entrance gate of the infection (nasal cavity) swelling and swelling of the mucous membrane, fullness and vasodilation, infiltration with lymphocytes and mononuclears, desquamation of the superficial epithelium without significant necrobiosis are noted. Hypersecretion of the mucous membrane is noted.