Specific Association of Human Parechovirus Type 3 with Sepsis and Fever in Young Infants, as Identified by Direct Typing of Cerebrospinal Fluid Samples

HPeV was a significant cause of severe sepsis and fever with central nervous system involvement in young infants, rivaling enteroviruses. The specific targeting of young infants by HPeV type 3 may reflect a difference in tissue tropism between virus types or a lack of protection of young infants by maternal antibody consequent to the recent emergence of HPeV.