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Role of viruses in febrile convulsions
Abstract:
A disseminated viral illness was demonstrated by isolating a virus from the CSF, blood or urine in 27% of 73 children who were admitted to hospital after a first febrile convulsion. However, a viral aetiology could be implicated for 86% of the children after combining results of tissue culture, electron microscopy, mouse inoculation, complement fixation tests, and interferon assay. Parallel bacterial cultures showed a possible pathogen in 29% of children, but in only 4% was the pathogen isolated from the CSF, blood, or urine. No correlation was found between the nature of the pathogen (or evidence of its dissemination) and the severity of the convulsion, degree of fever, CSF protein, CSF white cells, or the WBC. The results suggest that a febrile convulsion could be a response to invasion of the blood stream or central nervous system by a micro-organism which is usually a virus. Invasion may be of such brief duration that successful isolation of the virus from the blood, CSF, or urine in not more commonly achieved.
Insights
A disseminated viral illness is common in children with febrile convulsions, often identified through various testing methods. Viruses, not bacteria, are the primary cause, though detection can be challenging due to brief invasions.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Febrile convulsions are common in children.
- The specific etiology of febrile convulsions is not always clear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of viral and bacterial pathogens in children experiencing their first febrile convulsion.
- To determine the frequency of disseminated viral illness in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- Virus isolation from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, and urine.
- Utilized tissue culture, electron microscopy, mouse inoculation, complement fixation tests, and interferon assays.
- Performed parallel bacterial cultures.
Main Results:
- A virus was isolated from CSF, blood, or urine in 27% of children.
- Viral etiology was implicated in 86% of cases when combining all test results.
- Bacterial pathogens were identified in 29% of cases, but rarely isolated from sterile sites (4%).
Conclusions:
- Febrile convulsions are likely a response to viral invasion of the bloodstream or central nervous system.
- The transient nature of viral invasion may explain the challenges in routine isolation.
- Viruses are the predominant cause of febrile convulsions, rather than bacteria.