Key result
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing detected Human Astrovirus VA1 in the cerebrospinal fluid of two pediatric cancer patients with previously unexplained encephalitis.
Why the study?
Novel human astroviruses have recently been implicated as rare causes of fatal encephalitis in immunocompromised patients, for which there is no proven treatment.
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing can detect rare causes of fatal encephalitis, such as HAstV-VA1, in immunocompromised pediatric patients when standard evaluations fail.
Supports mNGS in unexplained pediatric encephalitis; hypothesis-generating for astrovirus VA1 pending validation.
Novel human astroviruses (HAstVs) have recently been implicated as rare causes of fatal encephalitis in immunocompromised patients, for which there is no proven treatment. We report 2 cases from our institution in which HAstV-VA1 was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid by metagenomic next-generation sequencing after the initial evaluation revealed no etiology.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Bami et al. (2022) studied this question. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing detected Human Astrovirus VA1 in the cerebrospinal fluid of two pediatric cancer patients with previously unexplained encephalitis.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: