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Use of Viral Entry Assays and Molecular Docking Analysis for the Identification of Antiviral Candidates against Coxsackievirus A16
Published on: July 15, 2019
[Outbreak of coxsackievirus infection in children]
M N M Volman1, M C van Rossem, J P de Winter
1Spaarne Ziekenhuis, afd. Kindergeneeskunde, Postbus 770, 2130 AT Hoofddorp.
Insights
A 2006 coxsackievirus B outbreak in the Netherlands affected 27 children. Early recognition of enterovirus infections is crucial, with PCR being a valuable diagnostic tool.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Enteroviruses, including coxsackievirus type B, can cause significant pediatric illness.
- A notable cluster of coxsackievirus B infections occurred in a Dutch hospital during the summer of 2006.
Observation:
- Twenty-seven children were diagnosed with coxsackievirus B infection.
- Case A, an infant, presented with fever and elevated cerebrospinal fluid leukocytes, responding well to antibiotics and acyclovir.
- Case B, a toddler, experienced abdominal pain and respiratory distress, recovering spontaneously.
Findings:
- Cultures confirmed coxsackievirus B5 in Case A and coxsackievirus B4 in Case B.
- The clinical presentations varied, highlighting the diverse manifestations of enterovirus infections.
Implications:
- Prompt identification of enterovirus infections is essential to avoid unnecessary medical interventions.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a highly important diagnostic technique for rapid and accurate enterovirus detection.
Abstract:
During the summer of 2006 in the paediatric ward of the Spaarne Hospital in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, a large number of children were admitted with a coxsackievirus type-B infection, one of the enteroviruses. A total of 27 children were diagnosed with this virus. Patient A, a one-month-old boy, was admitted with fever. The spinal fluid showed a high leukocyte count. He was treated with amoxicillin, ceftriaxon and acyclovir, and recovered rapidly. The spinal fluid culture was positive for coxsackievirus type B5. Patient B, a 3-year-old girl, presented with attacks of abdominal pain and groaning respiration. Infection parameters were mildly elevated. The chest X-ray was normal. She was admitted for observation and recovered spontaneously. Viral faeces culture revealed coxsackievirus type B4. Rapid recognition of an enterovirus infection is important to prevent unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. PCR is a diagnostic technique of great importance.
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