Abstract: Objective To explore the prevalence of human rhinovirus(HRV) in acute respiratory infection(ARI) and the infection characteristics of hospitalized cases in Tianjin during the influenza epidemic period in 2023-2024,and provide reference for the prevention and control of HRV infection in the future. Methods During the influenza epidemic period in 2023-2024,868 outpatient and emergency influenza-like patients and 538 inpatients with acute respiratory infection were selected from 4 hospitals in Tianjin,and throat swabs were collected. Multiple RT-PCR method was used to detect 9 common respiratory viruses including HRV and clinical data of hospitalized cases with positive HRV test were collected. Results A total of 65 cases of HRV positive cases were detected in 1 396 cases of ARI,with a positive detection rate of 4.66%. The detection rate of HRV decreased with the increase of age(χ²=5.595,P<0.05),and the highest detection rate was found in the age group of 10-<20 years(6.63%). The detection rate of HRV in influenza-like illness in outpatient and emergency departments was higher than that in severe acute respiratory infection cases,and the difference between them was statistically significant(P<0.05). In all cases,HRV combined with other viruses was the main type,accounting for 38.46%,while enterovirus(EV) was the main type in HRV combined detection. The positive detection of HRV in hospitalized cases of ARI was found in the groups of under 14 years old(70.59%) and over 55 years old(29.41%). The clinical manifestations were mainly cough and expectoration,and all cases had lung imaging changes. Conclusion In the influenza epidemic period of 2023-2024 in Tianjin,HRV infection is the common pathogen detected with influenza-like symptoms. The low and high age groups with poor immunity are the key groups of hospitalization caused by HRV infection. Continuous monitoring should be carried out,and the corresponding prevention and control strategies should be paid attention to and formulated.

Key words: Acute respiratory infections（ARI）, Rhinovirus, Infection characteristics