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Encephalomyelitis due to human parechovirus type 1
Vincent Legay1, Jean Jacques Chomel, Eustace Fernandez
1Centre National de Reference pour les Enterovirus et L'hepatite A Laboratoire de Virologie, Domaine Rockefeller, Lyon, France.
Objectives:
The implication of a viral agent in encephalomyelitis has been reported for several years. In the present study we wanted to demonstrate the presence of human parechovirus type 1 (HPEV1) in a patient diagnosed with encephalomyelitis.
Study Design:
Clinical samples (throat and rectal swabs, acute and convalescent sera, cerebrospinal fluid) were collected from a 10-month-old boy diagnosed with encephalomyelitis. The appropriated samples were tested for cytomegalovirus, varicella zona virus, mumps virus and enteroviruses with specific culture, and serological and molecular biological techniques.
Results:
HPEV1 was isolated from the throat and its genome was additional detectable in the cerebrospinal fluid, throat swab and acute serum. The samples were negative for all other tested viruses.
Conclusion:
To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of HPEV1 infection related to encephalomyelitis. This emphasis that human parechoviruses can be responsible for severe central nervous system infections in children.
Insights
Human parechovirus type 1 (HPEV1) was identified in a child with encephalomyelitis, marking the first such case. This finding highlights HPEV1 as a potential cause of severe central nervous system infections in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatric Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Viral infections are implicated in encephalomyelitis.
- Human parechoviruses (HPVs) are an emerging cause of human illness.
Observation:
- A 10-month-old boy presented with encephalomyelitis.
- Clinical samples included throat and rectal swabs, sera, and cerebrospinal fluid.
Findings:
- Human parechovirus type 1 (HPEV1) was isolated from the patient's throat swab.
- HPEV1 genome was detected in cerebrospinal fluid, throat swab, and acute serum.
- Samples tested negative for cytomegalovirus, varicella zoster virus, mumps virus, and enteroviruses.
Implications:
- This is the first reported case linking HPEV1 to encephalomyelitis.
- HPVs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric central nervous system infections.
- Further research is needed to understand the pathogenesis of HPEV1-associated neurological disease.