Widespread circulation of echovirus 6 causing aseptic meningitis in paediatric patients in the area of Modena, Italy, in 2011

Introduction: Between May and November 2011, enterovirus RNA was detected in the cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) of 72 children with signs of aseptic meningitis admitted to paediatric departments of different Hospitals of the prefecture of Modena, Emilia Romagna region, Italy. Enterovirus RNA was detected in 34 CSFs by commercial reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Twenty-one samples, resulted human enterovirus B by species-specific RT-nested PCR, were submitted to sequencing of the 3’ terminus of the VP1 gene. Materials and Methods: Upon sequencing and interrogation of the National Center for Biotechnology Information database, all 21 viruses were characterized as echovirus 6 (E6), and posses a 100% nucleotide identity each other. Results: This study reports the molecular detection and typing of E6 isolated from clinical specimens from paediatric patients with aseptic meningitis in the wide area of Modena, Italy, in 2011.