Clinical spectrum in hospitalized children with echovirus type 13 infection

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical spectrum of echovirus type 13 (E13) infection in hospitalized children. METHODS: From April to August 2002, prospective viral surveillance was performed for hospitalized patients (aged 10 days to 14 years) irrespective of their presenting symptoms and severity. Medical records of laboratory-confirmed echovirus 13 infection were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 41 patients analyzed, the median age was 3.4 years and 30% of them were less than 1 year of age. The male:female ratio was 1.6:1. The main clinical features were non-specific febrile illness (nine patients), gastroenteritis (seven), bronchitis (seven), aseptic meningitis (16) and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (two). Each age group had their representative symptoms: less than 1 year of age, non-specific febrile illness; from 1 to 6 years of age, enterocolitis and bronchitis; more than 6 years of age, aseptic meningitis. CONCLUSION: The representative symptoms of E13 infection in hospitalized patients were variable but strongly associated with age distribution. It was of interest to note that two patients developed idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura along with the infection.