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Reovirus type 1 associated with meningitis
P J Johansson1, T Sveger, K Ahlfors
1Department of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital of Lund, Sweden.
Abstract:
A previously healthy 3-month-old girl presented with symptoms of meningitis, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever. Green monkey kidney (GMK) cells inoculated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed reovirus-like particles by electron microscopy. RNA-gel electrophoresis, immunofluorescence and virus neutralization identified the pathogen isolated from CSF as reovirus type 1. Antibody determination by immunofluorescence of paired sera showed a significant antibody titre rise to the CSF isolate and neutralization test revealed a greater than 4-fold antibody titre rise to the CSF isolate. The CSF isolate was also neutralized by reovirus type 1 antibodies. This report represents one of a few associating reovirus with CNS symptoms in humans.
Insights
A rare case of meningitis in an infant was linked to reovirus type 1 infection. This study highlights reovirus as a potential cause of central nervous system symptoms in children.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatric Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Central nervous system (CNS) infections in infants can have severe outcomes.
- Reoviruses are known to cause various illnesses, but their association with CNS disease is less common.
Observation:
- A previously healthy 3-month-old girl presented with meningitis, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed reovirus-like particles via electron microscopy.
Findings:
- The isolated pathogen from CSF was identified as reovirus type 1 using RNA-gel electrophoresis, immunofluorescence, and virus neutralization.
- Paired sera demonstrated a significant rise in antibodies against the CSF isolate, confirming a reovirus type 1 infection.
Implications:
- This case adds to the limited evidence associating reovirus with CNS symptoms in human infants.
- Further research is warranted to understand the role of reovirus in pediatric neurological disorders.