Molecular detection of human parechovirus in under-Five-Year-Old Children with gastroenteritis

J Clin Virol. 2016 Dec:85:17-21. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2016.10.001. Epub 2016 Oct 26.

Abstract

Background: Currently, RT-PCR is used widely and considered to be a convenient, useful, and powerful method for molecular diagnosis, to detect pathogens from clinical specimens.

Objectives: In this work we describe the development of an in-house Real-time Taqman PCR assay for quantification of HPeV in stool specimens.

Study designs: A total of 137 fecal specimens previously screened for rotavirus and adenovirus were tested for HPeV virus.

Results: A total of 11 out of 137 (8%) episodes of acute gastroenteritis were associated with HPeV genomic detection with median viral load 14678±28927 genomes/mg fecal specimens. There was no significant difference in the detection rate between male and female (54.5% (6/11) vs. 45.5% (5/11). Among the 11 HPeV-positive cases, 2 were also positive for other viral pathogens, including rotavirus (n=2).

Conclusion: In conclusion, the development of a laboratory designed Real Time PCR TaqMan assay for quantitative detection of HPeV and the optimization and standardization of this assay using stool of children with acute gastroenteritis are described.

Keywords: Gastroenteritis; Parechovirus; RNA extraction; Real time-PCR; co-infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Feces / virology*
  • Female
  • Gastroenteritis / diagnosis*
  • Gastroenteritis / virology*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Parechovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Picornaviridae Infections / diagnosis*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Viral Load / methods*