Serotypes of human enteroviruses causing pediatric viral encephalitis and meningitis in Hebei province, China, from 2013 to 2015

Abstract

Importance: Viral encephalitis and meningitis are severe infectious diseases responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality in children. Enteroviruses are typically the most common causative agents of viral encephalitis and meningitis. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the etiology of viral encephalitis and meningitis among children in Hebei province, China. Methods: Cerebrospinal fluid samples from children with viral encephalitis (n=309) and meningitis (n=133) were collected between Nov 2013 and Dec 2015 and viral pathogens were identified by real-time and multiplex PCR. Amplification and sequencing of partial VP1 genes was used to type enteroviruses. Results: The causative pathogen was successfully detected in 176 (57%) patients with viral encephalitis and 82 (61.7%) patients with viral meningitis. The most common causative agents of both viral encephalitis and meningitis were enteroviruses (55.7% and 64.6% of cases, respectively). The most common enterovirus serotypes identified were echovirus 18, echovirus 6 and echovirus 30. Echovirus 18 accounted for 74.4% of all typed enteroviruses and caused a viral encephalitis and meningitis outbreak in Hebei province in 2015. By contrast, the major enterovirus serotypes circulating in 2014 were echovirus 6 and echovirus 30. Interpretation: Enteroviruses were the main causative agents of viral encephalitis and meningitis in children in Hebei province from Nov 2013 to Dec 2015. Echovirus 18 became the leading cause of viral encephalitis and meningitis for the first time in Hebei province in 2015.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing and proteomics analysis in pediatric viral encephalitis and meningitis

“…In our research, mNGS was used to study the epidemiology of VE and/or VM in Zhejiang Province in 2021. Similar to the results of previous studies (Chen et al, 2018;Sun et al, 2019), our data showed that HEV remains the primary pathogen of pediatric VE and/or VM based on the evidence that 28% (14 of 50) of CSF samples of all enrolled patients in Zhejiang Province in China were HEV-positive. Moreover, Echo 18 replaced Echo 30 as the most frequent serotype.…”

Human FcRn Is a Two-in-One Attachment-Uncoating Receptor for Echovirus 18

“…An outbreak of E18-associated AM in Taiwan in 2006 was reported, and E18 accounted for 27.4% of the total EV-positive cases ( 13 ). We previously reported an E18-associated outbreak of encephalitis/meningitis in children in Hebei Province in China ( 12 , 21 ). In our analysis, E18 was the main pathogen associated with VE/AM in children in 2015, accounting for 74.4% of all enteroviruses detected in children with VE/AM CSF specimens.…”

Identified Bacteria and Virus in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of under Five Years Hospitalized Children for Clinical Meningitis at Panzi Hospital in the Eastern Part of DRC

“…The main pathogens responsible for viral meningitis vary by geographical region, season, and detection methodology. [5] In England and Wales, the most common causative agents of viral meningitis were enteroviruses (EVs), herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV). In America, Leber, et al reported that the most common causative agents of VE and VM were enteroviruses and human herpesvirus [6].…”

“…In America, Leber, et al reported that the most common causative agents of VE and VM were enteroviruses and human herpesvirus [6]. In Australia, the most common causative agents were HSV and VZV, while Japanese encephalitis virus was the most common causative agent of VE among children in southern Vietnam [5].…”