Temporal relationship between human parechovirus 1 infection and otitis media in young children

: Tauriainen S, Oikarinen S, Taimen K, Laranne J, Sipila M, Lonnrot M, Ilonen J, Simell O, Knip M, Hyoty H

Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC

: 2008

: Journal of Infectious Diseases

: JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

: J INFECT DIS

: 198

: 1

: 35

: 40

: 6

: 1537-6613

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/588677

Background. Human parechovirus (HPeV) 1 is a common virus that infects almost everyone during childhood.
Because clinical symptoms are poorly documented, we evaluated the symptoms associated with HPeV1 infection in a
cohort of children followed prospectively from birth at 3-month intervals.
Methods. Symptoms such as fever, cough, those of the common cold, otitis media, and gastroenteritis were
determined from hospital records and from questionnaires administered to the parents of 59 children during regular
study visits. HPeV1 infections were diagnosed by measuring neutralizing antibodies in follow-up serum samples.
Additionally, HPeV RNA was analyzed in middle ear fluid (MEF) and nasopharyngeal aspirate samples from 33
patients with otitis media by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.
Results. Otitis media showed a clear association with HPeV1 infection—it developed in 50% of the 3-month
follow-up periods that yielded evidence for HPeV1 infection but in only 14% of the HPeV1-negative periods (odds
ratio [OR], 6.14 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.75–13.77]). In children with recurring otitis media, MEF samples
were positive for HPeV in 15% of episodes. Cough was also associated with HPeV1 infection, but this association was
weaker (OR, 3.67 [95% CI, 1.66–8.09]). Other symptoms were not linked to HPeV1 infection.
Conclusions. HPeV1 infections are common in childhood and may cause otitis media and cough.