Enterovirus-D68 in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Two Children with Aseptic Meningitis

Susanna Esposito1, Giovanna Lunghi, Alberto Zampiero

  • 1From the *Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Pediatric Highly Intensive Care Unit, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; †Virology Unit; Fondazione Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; and ‡Division of Clinical Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, The University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Insights

Enterovirus-D68 (EV-D68) was directly linked to aseptic meningitis in two healthy children. This finding highlights EV-D68 as a cause of serious neurologic illness in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Aseptic meningitis is a serious neurologic condition often caused by viral infections.
  • Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a respiratory virus that has been increasingly associated with neurologic complications.

Observation:

  • This case report details two previously healthy children diagnosed with aseptic meningitis.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis in both patients revealed the presence of enterovirus-D68.

Findings:

  • The detection of enterovirus-D68 in cerebrospinal fluid confirms its direct role in causing aseptic meningitis.
  • These cases establish a clear etiologic link between EV-D68 infection and central nervous system disease.

Implications:

  • Enterovirus-D68 should be considered a significant pathogen in pediatric aseptic meningitis cases.
  • This underscores the importance of diagnostic testing for EV-D68 in children presenting with unexplained neurologic symptoms.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenesis and long-term outcomes of EV-D68-associated neurologic disease.

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