Intrafamilial Transmission of Parechovirus A and Enteroviruses in Neonates and Young Infants. (1st September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Izumita, Ryohei; Deuchi, Kazuki; Aizawa, Yuta; Habuka, Rie; Watanabe, Kanako; Otsuka, Taketo; Saitoh, Akihiko
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. Volume 8:Number 6(2019)
• Page Start: 501
• Page End: 506
• Publication Date: 2018-09-01
• Subjects: enterovirus -- family -- parechovirus -- stool -- transmission; Communicable diseases in children -- Periodicals; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.929
• DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piy079
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2048-7193

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Parechovirus A (PeV-A) is an important cause of sepsis and meningoencephalitis in neonates and young infants. Thus, identifying the source of PeV-A is essential for prevention; however, little is known regarding the spread of PeV-A among family members of PeV-A–infected neonates and young infants. Methods: In this prospective study, we evaluated stool samples from family members of PeV-A–infected neonates and infants younger than 4 months who presented with sepsis, meningoencephalitis, or both in Niigata, Japan, in 2016. Because of a simultaneous outbreak, enteroviruses (EVs) were also evaluated during this period. Real-time polymerase chain reaction followed by sequence analysis was used for viral diagnosis using serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid samples. Results: Among 54 febrile patients, the stool samples of 14 (26%) and 12 (22%) patients tested positive for PeV-A and EV, respectively. Stool samples from 54 family members (38 adults and 16 children) of 12 PeV-A–infected patients were available. The rate of PeV-A positivity in these samples was higher among the children (88% [14 of 16]) than the adults (34% [13 of 38]). Among family members with a PeV-A–positive stool sample, 29% (4 of 14) of the children and 77% (10 of 13) of the adults were asymptomatic. Similarly, among 53 stool samples from family members (31 adults and 22 children) of 11 EV-infected patients, the rate of EV positivity in the stool samples was higher among the children (91% [20 of 22]) than among the adults (42% [13 of 31]). The asymptomatic-patient rates were 45% (9 of 20) among the children and 85% (11 of 13) among the adults in family members with EV-positive stool. Conclusions: Similar to EVs, PeV-A was detected frequently in stool samples from family members of PeV-A–infected patients. Among family members with PeV-A–positive stool, adults were more likely than children to be asymptomatic and therefore could be an important source of PeV-A infection. Abstract : Family members of neonates and young infants infected with parechovirus A (PeV-A) frequently have PeV-A in their stool, even when they are asymptomatic, and might be an important source of PeV-A infection among neonates and young infants.