Molecular identification of enteroviruses responsible for an outbreak of aseptic meningitis; implications in clinical

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Nikolaos Siafakas1, Panayotis Markoulatos, Stamatina Levidiotou-Stefanou

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 26 Ploutonos str. and Aeolou, Larissa 41221, Greece.

Molecular and Cellular Probes
|October 19, 2004
PubMed

Insights

In 2001, Greece experienced an aseptic meningitis outbreak. Echovirus 6 was the most common cause, with genetic analysis revealing diverse enterovirus strains circulating, highlighting the 5'-untranslated region's utility for epidemiological studies.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Epidemiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Aseptic meningitis outbreaks pose public health challenges.
  • Enteroviruses are a common cause of viral meningitis.
  • Understanding circulating strains is crucial for disease control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize enterovirus strains during a 2001 aseptic meningitis outbreak in Greece.
  • To investigate the genetic diversity and epidemiological patterns of circulating enteroviruses.

Main Methods:

  • RNA isolation from patient fecal samples followed by cell culture.
  • Detection using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
  • Serotypic identification, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and sequencing of RT-PCR amplicons.

Main Results:

  • Fifty-three clinical enterovirus strains were isolated, predominantly causing aseptic meningitis.
  • Echovirus 6 was the most frequent serotype, followed by coxsackie B viruses, Echovirus 13, poliovirus type 1 vaccine strain, and Echovirus 30.
  • Sequence analysis of the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) revealed distinct genetic groups circulating concurrently, with different serotypes belonging to the same genetic group and vice versa.

Conclusions:

  • The 2001 Greek aseptic meningitis outbreak was associated with diverse enterovirus strains.
  • Echovirus 6 was the predominant serotype identified.
  • The 5'-UTR is a valuable genetic marker for studying enterovirus evolution and epidemiology.

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