The Prevalence of Enteroviruses, Mumps virus, and Herpes Simplex Virus-1 in Cerebrospinal Fluid Samples of Children with Aseptic Meningitis

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Research Center, Shahid Motahari Burns Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Pediatric Infection Disease Department, Ali-Asghar Children Hospital, Vahid dasgerdi st., Tehran, Iran

4 Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

5 Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

6 Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

10.22092/ari.2024.363975.2920

Abstract

Meningitis is one type of the inflammation in the protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord. Aseptic meningitis is the term used for all types of diseases that are not due to pyogenic bacteria. Various etiological agents can cause aseptic meningitis. Infectious agents include viruses, fungi, and parasites. Viruses are considered one of the major etiological agents of aseptic meningitis. The viral etiology of this disease varies in different age groups and countries. This study examined the prevalence of different viruses (enterovirus, mumps virus, and HSV-1) in Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of aseptic meningitis children.
58 CSF samples were obtained from meningitis-suspected patients admitted to Ali Asghar Hospital in Tehran during 2019-2020. Nucleic acid extraction was performed and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing was performed for the investigation of different meningitis-causative viruses.
Viruses were detected in 32 patients (24 males and 8 females). Enterovirus (n=15, 25.9%) was the predominant meningitis virus detected. Mumps virus and HSV were found in 11 (19%) and six (10.3%) patients, respectively. Fever and vomiting were found the most clinical manifestations in children with aseptic meningitis. A statistically significant relationship was found between term week and viral meningitis among HSV- and mumps-infected patients (p-value=0.04). Besides, there was a borderline relationship between a history of surgery and viral meningitis. Enteroviruses are among the most important etiological agents of aseptic meningitis in different age groups. Accurate diagnosis of meningitis viruses such as enteroviruses will lead to appropriate and life-saving antiviral therapies and a reduction of antibiotics overuse.

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Archives of Razi Institute

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 16 April 2024

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