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A season of aseptic meningitis in Germany: epidemiologic, clinical and diagnostic aspects

Antje Böttner1, Said Daneschnejad, Werner Handrick

  • 1Children's Hospital, University of Leipzig, Germany. antje.boettner@gmx.net

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|December 19, 2002
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Aseptic meningitis in children was studied, with echovirus type 13 identified as a key pathogen. Combined clinical and lab data aid diagnosis, even when individual tests are inconclusive.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Clinical virology

Background:

  • Aseptic meningitis is a significant concern in pediatric populations.
  • Enteroviral meningitis can present with varied clinical and laboratory findings.
  • Understanding the epidemiology and clinical features of aseptic meningitis is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory features of aseptic meningitis in children.
  • To identify the causative agents of enteroviral meningitis during a specific season.
  • To evaluate the diagnostic utility of combined clinical and laboratory data.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 70 consecutive pediatric patients with aseptic meningitis.
  • Collection of demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, including cerebrospinal fluid analysis.
  • Enterovirus detection and serotyping in cerebrospinal fluid samples.

Main Results:

  • Patients typically presented with headache, emesis, and fever; meningeal irritation signs were moderate.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid showed elevated leukocytes with a high percentage of polymorphonuclear cells initially.
  • Nonpolio enteroviruses were detected in 30 patients, with echovirus type 13 being the most prevalent.
  • Peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cell counts shifted towards mononuclear cells after 3 days, suggesting viral infection.

Conclusions:

  • Combined epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory data aid in diagnosing aseptic meningitis.
  • Echovirus type 13 was identified as a significant cause of aseptic meningitis epidemics.
  • Viral diagnostics are essential for identifying specific enteroviruses and providing epidemiological insights.

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