Enterovirus D68 in Hospitalized Children, Barcelona, Spain, 2014-2021

Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Jul;28(7):1327-1331. doi: 10.3201/eid2807.220264.ABSTRACTTo determine molecular epidemiology and clinical features of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infections, we reviewed EV-D68-associated respiratory cases at a hospital in Barcelona, Spain, during 2014-2021. Respiratory samples were collected from hospitalized patients or outpatients with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection or suggestive of enterovirus infection. Enterovirus detection was performed by real-time multiplex reverse transcription PCR and characterization by phylogenetic analysis of the partial viral protein 1 coding region sequences. From 184 patients with EV-D68 infection, circulating subclades were B3 (80%), D1 (17%), B2 (1%), and A (<1%); clade proportions shifted over time. EV-D68 was detected mostly in children (86%) and biennially (2016, 2018, 2021). In patients <16 years of age, the most common sign/symptom was lower respiratory tract infection, for which 11.8% required pediatric intensive care unit admission and 2.3% required invasive mechanical ventilation; neurologic complications developed in 1. The potential neurotropism indicates that enterovirus surveillance should be mandatory.PMID:35731133 | DOI:10.3201/eid2807.220264
Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Source Type: research