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Managing multisystem parechovirus infection in a neonate - an experience from rural Australia
Lorraine M Chung1, Gopakumar Hariharan1,2
1Department of Child and Adolescent Health Unit, Mackay Base Hospital, Mackay, Qld, Australia.
Insights
Human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV3) can cause severe illness in infants. Early diagnosis in a neonate with meningitis and acute abdomen in Australia led to supportive care and prevented transfer.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Human parechovirus (HPeV) infections are associated with neurological complications in neonates and infants.
- HPeV presents with diverse symptoms, from mild gastroenteritis to severe systemic illness, including seizures.
- Human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV3) is a notable cause of sepsis-like illness in infants under three months.
Abstract:
Human parechovirus (HPeV) infections in neonates and infants have been linked to outbreaks in regions including Australia, Northern Europe, and the US, resulting in long-term neurological complications. HPeV symptoms range from mild gastroenteritis and respiratory issues to severe systemic illness, including seizures and neurological damage. Human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV3) has emerged as a significant cause of sepsis-like illness in infants aged less than 3 months. We describe the case of a neonate aged 11 days with an acute abdomen and meningitis, treated at a rural hospital in Queensland, Australia. Early diagnosis of HPeV3 in this case facilitated supportive management of the neonate, and avoided unnecessary transfer to a tertiary centre.
