Acute life threatening event (ALTE) in an infant with human coronavirus HCoV-229E infection

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Virology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Acute life-threatening events (ALTEs) in infants can have diverse etiologies.
• Coronaviruses, including HCoV-229E, are known respiratory pathogens.
• Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for managing pediatric illnesses.

Observation:

• A 4-month-old infant, otherwise healthy, presented with an ALTE.
• The infant was diagnosed with HCoV-229E infection via RT-PCR.
• A temporal association was noted between the ALTE and the viral infection.

Findings:

• This case suggests a potential link between HCoV-229E infection and ALTE in infants.
• RT-PCR confirmed the presence of HCoV-229E, indicating its etiological role.
• The infant had no apparent signs of respiratory tract infection despite the viral diagnosis.

Implications:

• Further microbiological investigations, including PCR, are recommended for infants with ALTEs, even without respiratory symptoms.
• Enhanced detection of respiratory viral pathogens can improve understanding of disease pathogenesis.
• This case underscores the importance of considering less common viral etiologies in unexplained infant events.