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Aseptic meningitis in Germany associated with echovirus type 13
1National Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Enteroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany. Diedrichs@rki.de
BMC Infectious Diseases
|October 10, 2001
Summary
Echovirus type 13 caused aseptic meningitis outbreaks in Germany in 2000. Genetic analysis revealed new strains are highly homologous but differ significantly from older echovirus 13 strains.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Epidemiology
Background:
- Echoviruses are a leading cause of aseptic meningitis.
- Echovirus type 13, previously rare in Germany, emerged as the predominant enterovirus serotype during 2000 outbreaks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic characteristics of echovirus type 13 isolates from German aseptic meningitis outbreaks.
- To compare the genetic relationship of contemporary echovirus 13 strains with historical isolates.
Main Methods:
- Virus isolation from cerebrospinal fluid and stool samples.
- Sequence analysis of the VP1 gene (~300 nucleotides) for genetic comparison.
- Comparison of isolates from different German regions and historical strains.
Main Results:
- Fifty-five echovirus type 13 isolates were identified across Germany.
- Newly isolated strains exhibited high nucleotide homology (>98%).
- Significant genetic divergence was observed between new and old echovirus 13 strains (76-85% homology).
Conclusions:
- Rare enterovirus serotypes, like echovirus 13, can cause significant public health issues.
- The findings demonstrate molecular drift in enterovirus serotypes, highlighting evolutionary changes over time.