Overview
Human parechovirus (HPeV) encephalitis primarily affects infants and neonates, causing severe viral infections. HPeV belongs to the Picornaviridae family, with HPeV-1 being the most prevalent genotype, typically linked to respiratory and digestive symptoms but capable of causing life-threatening encephalitis 1.Diagnosis
Clinical presentation includes fever, irritability, lethargy, and seizures in neonates and infants 1.
Laboratory diagnosis often involves PCR testing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and nasopharyngeal swabs to detect HPeV RNA 1.
CSF analysis may show pleocytosis and elevated protein levels, though specific findings can vary 1.Management
Supportive care is the cornerstone, including maintenance of hydration, electrolyte balance, and management of seizures 1.
There are currently no specific antiviral therapies approved for HPeV encephalitis 1.
Monitoring and managing complications such as hydrocephalus or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is crucial 1.Special Populations
Pediatrics: Infants and neonates are particularly vulnerable, with HPeV-1 being most commonly implicated 1.
Comorbidities: Specific management adjustments for comorbid conditions are not detailed in the provided abstracts 1.Key Recommendations
Utilize PCR testing of CSF and nasopharyngeal samples for definitive diagnosis of HPeV encephalitis (Evidence: Moderate 1).
Focus on supportive care measures including seizure control, hydration, and monitoring for complications (Evidence: Expert opinion 1).
Currently, there are no specific antiviral treatments recommended for HPeV encephalitis; management relies heavily on supportive care (Evidence: Expert opinion 1).References
1 Sarker A, Rahman MM, Khatun C, Barai C, Roy N, Aziz MA et al.. In Silico design of a multi-epitope vaccine for Human Parechovirus: Integrating immunoinformatics and computational techniques. PloS one 2024. link