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Enteroviral meningitis in early infancy: significance in community outbreaks
Abstract:
Sixty-eight episodes of aseptic meningitis were diagnosed in 67 children during summer-fall 1979. Enteroviruses were isolated from 38 (79%) of 48 cases (47 children) with viral isolation studies performed. In 27 cases the enterovirus was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid. Except for one Coxsackie B-4 and one Coxsackie B-5 virus infection, all of the enteroviruses isolated were echoviruses; no single echovirus type predominated. The ages of the children with aseptic meningitis associated with an enteroviral infection ranged from 3 weeks to 14 years, with 79% of patients being under 1 year old. Forty-seven percent were infants less than 4 months old. Mild hypoglycorrhachia defined as a cerebrospinal fluid: blood sugar ratio of less than 0.50 may be a common finding in enteroviral meningitis in very young children.
Insights
Aseptic meningitis in children during summer-fall 1979 was frequently caused by enteroviruses, particularly echoviruses. Mildly low cerebrospinal fluid sugar levels were common in young children with this infection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Aseptic meningitis is a significant concern in pediatric populations.
- Enteroviruses are a common cause of viral meningitis in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology and causative agents of aseptic meningitis in children during a specific period.
- To identify common viral pathogens and clinical findings associated with aseptic meningitis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pediatric aseptic meningitis cases diagnosed between summer and fall 1979.
- Viral isolation studies performed on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and other clinical samples.
- Clinical data including patient age and CSF glucose levels were reviewed.
Main Results:
- Sixty-eight episodes of aseptic meningitis were identified in 67 children.
- Enteroviruses were isolated in 79% of cases with viral studies, with echoviruses being the predominant type.
- Young children, especially infants under 4 months, were disproportionately affected.
- Mild hypoglycorrhachia (CSF:blood sugar ratio < 0.50) was observed in a notable percentage of young patients.
Conclusions:
- Enteroviruses, primarily echoviruses, were the main cause of aseptic meningitis in the observed pediatric cohort.
- Aseptic meningitis associated with enteroviral infection predominantly affects infants and very young children.
- Mild hypoglycorrhachia may be a characteristic finding in enteroviral meningitis among very young children.