Echovirus 11 lineage I and other enteroviruses in hospitalized children with acute respiratory infection in Southern Italy, 2022- 2023.
Int J Infect Dis
; 146: 107091, 2024 May 08.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38729515
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
A new variant of echovirus 11 (E11) infection is a major health concern in neonates. Here, we describe the clinical and virological characteristics of enterovirus (EV) infections in children hospitalized with acute respiratory infection in Southern Italy.METHODS:
Between July 2022 and August 2023, 173 EV infections were identified. Demographic and clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and coinfections were analyzed. Genotypes were identified by sequencing of VP1. Whole-genome sequencing of five E11 strains was performed.RESULTS:
Case numbers peaked in July 2022, November-December 2022, and June-July 2023. Coxsackievirus A2 was identified in 36.7%, coxsackievirus B5 in 13.8%, echovirus E11 in 9.2%, and EV-D68 in 6.4% of cases. No child had critical symptoms or a severe infection. The only neonate infected by E11 recovered fully after 5 days in hospital. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that four E11 strains were closely related to divergent lineage I E11 strains identified in France and Italy.CONCLUSIONS:
The new variant of E11 was identified in children in Southern Italy. Although the cases were mild, the data suggest that transmission routes and host factors are likely to be main drivers for the development of potentially severe diseases. Systematic epidemiological/molecular surveillance will help us better understand the clinical impact of EV infections and develop preventive strategies.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Infect Dis
Journal subject:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Italy