Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Using Bioluminescent Imaging to Investigate Synergism Between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza A Virus in Infant Mice
10:47

Using Bioluminescent Imaging to Investigate Synergism Between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza A Virus in Infant Mice

Published on: April 14, 2011

Infant deaths associated with human parechovirus infection in Wisconsin

Gerald Sedmak1, W Allan Nix, Jeffrey Jentzen

  • 1Virology and Molecular Science Laboratory, City of Milwaukee Health Department, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|January 6, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Human parechoviruses (HPeVs) were detected in infant deaths, including the first fatal cases of HPeV type 3 and 6 in the US. These findings highlight HPeVs as a cause of serious illness in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Virology
  • Public Health Surveillance

Background:

  • Investigated the role of viruses in deaths of children under 2 years old using autopsy specimens.
  • Examined lung tissue, nasopharyngeal, and colon swabs from 1263 autopsies conducted between 1987 and 2004.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the role of viral infections in the mortality of infants and young children.
  • To identify and characterize human parechoviruses (HPeVs) in pediatric deaths.

Main Methods:

  • Virus isolation using multiple cell cultures.
  • Identification via neutralization, immunofluorescence assay, or enzyme immunoassay.
  • Real-time PCR and sequencing for HPeV detection and typing.

Main Results:

  • 426 (34%) autopsies yielded at least one virus; enteroviruses and adenoviruses were most common.
  • Human parechoviruses (HPeVs) identified in 18 cases (HPeV type 1) and 4 additional cases via RT-PCR.
  • Sequencing identified HPeV type 3 (n=3) and HPeV type 6 (n=1); two deaths were non-infectious.

Conclusions:

  • First confirmed detections of HPeV type 3 and 6 in the United States.
  • First report of fatal cases associated with HPeV type 3 infection.
  • Results support HPeVs association with severe pediatric disease; recommend clinical testing and surveillance.

More Related Videos

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain05:51

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain

Published on: July 24, 2016

A Novel Human Epithelial Enteroid Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis08:42

A Novel Human Epithelial Enteroid Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Published on: April 10, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Botulism01:22

Botulism

Botulism is a life-threatening neuroparalytic condition caused by botulinum neurotoxin, which is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, a Gram-positive, spore-forming, obligate anaerobe.In adults, the toxin enters the body in different ways: in foodborne botulism, the preformed toxin is absorbed in the intestine. In wound botulism, spores grow in injured tissue and release the toxin into the blood. Infant botulism differs mechanistically from adult forms. In infants, botulism commonly...