Human Parechovirus Infections Associated with Seizures and Rash in Infants and Toddlers. Issue 10 (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Karsch, Katharina; Obermeier, Patrick; Seeber, Lea; Chen, Xi; Tief, Franziska; Mühlhans, Susann; Hoppe, Christian; Conrad, Tim; Böttcher, Sindy; Diedrich, Sabine; Rath, Barbara
• Is Part Of: Pediatric infectious disease journal. Volume 34:Issue 10(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Communicable diseases in children -- Periodicals; Infection in children -- Periodicals; 618.929
• DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000000802
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-3668

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Background:</title> <p>Systematic investigations assessing the clinical impact of human parechovirus (HPeV) disease are sparse. Noninvasive stool samples may be useful for targeted hospital-based surveillance.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> <p>In the context of a quality management program, all hospitalized children fulfilling predefined case criteria for central nervous system (CNS) infection/inflammation underwent standardized neurologic examinations. Stool samples were collected for HPeV and enterovirus (EV) polymerase chain reaction and molecular typing at the National Reference Center.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p>From October 2010 to December 2012, stool samples of 284 patients with suspected CNS infection/inflammation were tested yielding 12 (4.2%) HPeV+ samples and 43 (15.1%) EV+ samples. HPeV-positive samples included HPeV-1, HPeV-3 and HPeV-6. No additional pathogens were identified in routine care. HPeV-positive patients were significantly younger (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001) and more likely to present with seizures (<italic>P</italic> = 0.001) and rash (<italic>P</italic> < 0.0001) when compared with HPeV-negative patients.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions:</title> <p>In hospitalized children younger than 4 years presenting with suspected CNS infection/inflammation, seizures and/or rash, HPeV should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Large-scale public health surveillance may be indicated.</p> </sec> </abstract>