Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks
10:28

A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks

Published on: June 26, 2020

Human parechovirus 3 causing sepsis-like illness in children from midwestern United States

Rangaraj Selvarangan1, Masha Nzabi, Suresh B Selvaraju

  • 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, USA. rselvarangan@cmh.edu

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|October 16, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Human parechovirus (HPeV) central nervous system (CNS) infections are prevalent in US infants, often presenting as sepsis-like illness during summer and fall. Early HPeV and enterovirus testing in infants can improve diagnosis and management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Virology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Human parechovirus (HPeV) CNS infections in children can lead to severe outcomes like neonatal sepsis, meningitis, or paralysis.
  • Prevalence and clinical presentation of HPeV CNS infections in US children remain under-investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of HPeV CNS infections in children in the United States.
  • To describe the clinical presentation of HPeV CNS infections in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from enterovirus-negative pediatric patients (2006-2008) were tested for HPeV using real-time RT-PCR.
  • HPeV genotyping was performed by sequencing the VP3/VP1 junction.
  • Demographic and clinical data were retrospectively collected from medical records.

Main Results:

  • HPeV was detected in 7% of tested CSF samples, with a notable increase in 2007 (17%).
  • HPeV-3 was the predominant genotype, with infections occurring seasonally (June-October) in male infants (71%) presenting with sepsis-like illness (66%).
  • Common symptoms included irritability (98%) and fever (95%); neurological manifestations were infrequent (5%).

Conclusions:

  • This study reports the first multiyear prevalence of HPeV CNS infections in the US, primarily affecting male infants with sepsis-like illness during warmer months.
  • HPeV CNS infections were comparable in prevalence to enterovirus infections in 2007.
  • Routine seasonal CSF testing for both HPeV and enterovirus in infants may enhance diagnostic accuracy and clinical management of sepsis-like presentations.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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...
Chickenpox01:20

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is an acute, highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Its transmission occurs primarily through the inhalation of respiratory droplets or direct contact with vesicular fluid from skin lesions. The incubation period typically ranges from 10 to 21 days, during which the virus replicates and disseminates through sequential phases within the host. Although generally self-limiting in children,...
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...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...