Human Astrovirus VA1 Encephalitis in Pediatric Patients With Cancer: Report of 2 Cases and Review of the Literature. Issue 9 (18th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bami, Sakshi; Hidinger, Jennifer; Madni, Arshia; Hargest, Virginia; Schultz-Cherry, Stacey; Cortez, Valerie; Cross, Shane J; Ward, Deborah A; Hayden, Randall T; Rubnitz, Jeffrey; Pui, Ching-Hon; Khan, Raja B; Hijano, Diego R
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. Volume 11:Issue 9(2022)
• Page Start: 408
• Page End: 412
• Publication Date: 2022-07-18
• Subjects: astrovirus -- cancer -- children -- encephalitis -- VA1; Communicable diseases in children -- Periodicals; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.929
• DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piac045
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2048-7193

Abstract

Abstract: Novel human astroviruses (HAstVs) have recently been implicated as rare causes of fatal encephalitis in immunocompromised patients, for which there is no proven treatment. We report 2 cases from our institution in which HAstV-VA1 was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid by metagenomic next-generation sequencing after the initial evaluation revealed no etiology. Abstract : We report two children with HAstV-VA1 encephalitis detected by metagenomic next-generation sequencing. Although rare, awareness of this emerging pathogen as a cause of encephalitis in immunocompromised children is critical, given the associated poor prognosis.