Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 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

The need for treatment against human parechoviruses: how, why and when?

Joanne G Wildenbeest1, Heli Harvala, Dasja Pajkrt

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, Laboratory of Clinical Virology, K1-121, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy
|December 8, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Human parechoviruses (HPeVs), once overlooked, are now recognized causes of severe illness in neonates. Urgent development of antiviral therapies is crucial for treating these picornavirus infections.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Human parechoviruses (HPeVs) are a distinct group within the Picornaviridae family, previously underestimated and linked to mild childhood illnesses.
  • The discovery of HPeV-3 in 2004 and its association with neonatal sepsis highlighted the significant clinical relevance of HPeVs.
  • HPeV infections can present similarly to human enterovirus (HEV) infections, causing sepsis-like illness and central nervous system (CNS) infections in young children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To underscore the urgent need for therapeutic interventions against human parechoviruses (HPeVs).
  • To review existing knowledge on treatment strategies for HPeV and related picornaviruses.
  • To examine current advancements in antiviral therapies applicable to HPeVs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of HPeV and HEV infections.
  • Analysis of clinical presentations and disease associations of HPeVs.
  • Survey of current and emerging antiviral treatment options for picornaviruses.

Main Results:

  • HPeVs are increasingly recognized as significant pathogens, particularly in neonates and young children.
  • Clinical manifestations of HPeV infections can be severe, mimicking other serious conditions like HEV infections.
  • No specific antiviral therapies are currently available for HPeVs or HEVs.

Conclusions:

  • There is a critical need for the development of effective antiviral therapies against HPeVs.
  • Understanding HPeV pathogenesis and treatment is essential for improving outcomes in affected children.
  • Advancements in picornavirus antiviral research offer potential avenues for HPeV treatment development.

More Related Videos

Generation of Multivirus-specific T Cells to Prevent/treat Viral Infections after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant08:52

Generation of Multivirus-specific T Cells to Prevent/treat Viral Infections after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Published on: May 27, 2011

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds09:29

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds

Published on: October 29, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis01:30

Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
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...
Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
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...
Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors01:22

Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors

Antiviral Nucleoside InhibitorsAntiviral nucleoside inhibitors are structural analogs of natural nucleosides that interfere with viral DNA or RNA synthesis. These compounds selectively target viral polymerases due to their resemblance to host nucleosides, thereby disrupting viral genome replication.Mechanism of Acyclovir ActionAcyclovir is a guanosine analog with a three-carbon acyclic side chain. It selectively targets herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2),...
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...