Molecular detection of human parechovirus in children with acute gastroenteritis in Guangzhou, China

Abstract

Human parechoviruses (HPeVs) are widespread pathogens causing a wide spectrum of diseases. The prevalence and genetic diversity of HPeV in children with acute diarrhea in China is not well known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of HPeV in Guangzhou, China. A total of 328 stool specimens collected from children under the age of 5 years with acute diarrhea were tested for the presence of HPeV. Of these, 44 (13.4 %, 44/328) were HPeV positive, with the majority of the infected children (97.7 %, 43/44) being younger than two years of age. HPeV was more frequently detected during July and August. The epidemiological profile of co-infections was similar to that observed in a previous study. Six different HPeV genotypes, including HPeV1, -3, -4, -5, -6, and -14, were identified, and of these, HPeV14, a rarely reported genotype, was reported for the first time in children with acute gastroenteritis in China. In summary, this study clearly demonstrated that HPeV circulating in Guangzhou, China, is genetically diverse, including six genotypes, and it provides useful epidemiological data on the features of HPeV infection in this area.

Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of human parechovirus in individuals with acute diarrhea and healthy controls in Guangzhou, China

“…On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, we found there were 4 different HPeV genotypes (HPeV1, HPeV3, HPeV4, and HPeV14) in the Guangzhou region in 2013‐2014. In accordance with the previous epidemiological data, the HPeV1 genotype was predominant, followed by HPeV4 and HPeV14, which supports the status of HPeV1 as the major genotype of this virus worldwide . HPeV3 was less prevalent than the other genotypes and was mainly identified during autumn in individuals of younger age.…”

“…Several recent studies supported that HPeVs can cause diarrhea, whereas others drew contrasting conclusions . The detection rate of HPeVs in the population with acute diarrhea in this study was 11.86%, which is similar to our previous report in 2012‐2013 . In addition, the rate of HPeV positivity in the healthy population in our study was similar to that reported by other studies .…”

“…More diverse types were detected in the 7 to 12 months age group. HPeV14, a rare genotype, which we previously identified in children with acute gastroenteritis in Guangzhou, China, was also found, indicating the need for careful epidemiological monitoring of its circulation. With respect to HPeV4, combination of the present data with our previous data demonstrated that HPeV4‐positive children were all >6 months (Figure ).…”

“…Infections with human parechoviruses (HPeVs) are increasingly reported worldwide . HPeVs are frequently detected in young children with gastroenteritis, although these viruses have been identified in patients with a range of diseases, including respiratory infections, meningitis, and sepsis‐like illness, and even in healthy children .…”

The Particulars on Parechovirus

“…A similar study from China (9) found that 21 of 328 (6%) stool samples were positive for HPeV alone while another 23 had another virus and HPeV, with the 44 types being HPeV-1 (n=32), HPeV-3 (n=4), HPeV-6 (n=4), HPeV-4 (n=2) and HPeV-14 (n=1). The mean age of patients with stools positive for HPeV was 15 months in the study from Japan and 11 months in the study from China, with all children being <5 years of age.…”