Clinically relevant diagnosis of human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1) is
challenging, as the virus is frequently detected in asymptomatic
patients, and cofindings with other respiratory viruses are common. The
clinical value of current diagnostic methods, such as PCR, is therefore
low, and alternative diagnostic strategies are needed. We describe for
the first time the use of an antigen detection assay for the rapid
identification of HBoV1 in a paediatric patient with respiratory tract
infection symptoms. We estimate the duration of active HBoV1 infection
to be 6 days.