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Meningitis due to parainfluenza virus type 3: report of two cases and review
E S Arisoy1, G J Demmler, S Thakar
1Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.
Abstract:
We report the cases of two infants with meningitis due to parainfluenza virus type 3. This is the first time that documented clinical and laboratory details have been reported for a 1-month-old infant with meningitis due to parainfluenza virus type 3 (our second case). We reviewed the literature and determined that CNS involvement by parainfluenza virus type 3 appears rare. Clinicians should be aware that parainfluenza virus type 3, one of the most common causes of viral respiratory infection in infancy, can also produce infection of the CNS and that hemadsorption testing of CSF specimens submitted for viral culture is necessary for detecting these paramyxoviruses.
Insights
Parainfluenza virus type 3, a common cause of infant respiratory illness, can rarely cause meningitis. Hemadsorption testing of cerebrospinal fluid is crucial for diagnosing this central nervous system infection in infants.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatric Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV3) is a common respiratory pathogen in infants.
- Central nervous system (CNS) involvement by PIV3 is considered rare.
- Limited documented cases exist for PIV3 meningitis in neonates.
Observation:
- This report details two cases of meningitis in infants caused by PIV3.
- Includes the first documented clinical and laboratory findings for a 1-month-old infant with PIV3 meningitis.
- Literature review confirms the rarity of PIV3-associated CNS infections.
Findings:
- PIV3 can cause meningitis in infants, extending beyond typical respiratory manifestations.
- Hemadsorption testing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is essential for identifying PIV3 in CNS infections.
- The second reported case provides detailed clinical and laboratory data.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider PIV3 as a potential cause of meningitis in infants.
- Awareness of PIV3's neuroinvasive potential is critical for early diagnosis and management.
- Implementing specific diagnostic tests like hemadsorption can improve detection rates of PIV3 CNS infections.