Rapid syndromic molecular testing and human parechovirus infection in children: A report of three cases in Argentina

Rev Argent Microbiol. 2022 Jan-Mar;54(1):31-34. doi: 10.1016/j.ram.2021.02.003. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Abstract

Human parechovirus (HPeV) is one of the members of the family Picornaviridae that has been associated with fever of unknown origin, gastroenteritis, clinical sepsis, meningitis, or encephalitis in very young infants. HPeV detection is not routinely performed in most clinical microbiology laboratories in Argentina and, therefore, its real prevalence is unknown. We here report three cases of HPeV CNS infection that presented to our hospital with different clinical features after the implementation of a multiplex PCR meningitis/encephalitis panel. Molecular diagnostic techniques could help improve patient care and understand the real prevalence of this infection in Argentina.

Keywords: CNS infection; Diagnóstico molecular; HPeV-3; Human parechovirus; Molecular diagnosis; Neonates; Neonatos; Parechovirus humano.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Argentina
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
  • Parechovirus* / genetics
  • Picornaviridae Infections* / diagnosis
  • Picornaviridae Infections* / epidemiology
  • Sepsis* / diagnosis
  • Sepsis* / epidemiology