Identification of human bocaviruses in the cerebrospinal fluid of children hospitalized with encephalitis in China
Jie-mei Yu, Qian-qian Chen,Ye-xia Hao,Tian Yu,Sai-zhen Zeng,Xiao-bing Wu, Bing Zhang, Zhao-jun Duan
Received 25 February 2013; received in revised form 12 April 2013; accepted 14 April 2013. published online 28 May 2013.
Abstract
Background
Encephalitis is a major cause of death and disability in adults and children; different members in the family Parvoviridae are known to be associated with encephalitis to some extent.
Objectives
To determine the presence of human bocaviruses (HBoVs) and corresponding HBoV-specific immunoglobulins (Igs) in cerebrospinal fluid from children with suspected viral encephalitis.
Study design
Employing real-time PCR and nested touchdown PCR, 67 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from children with suspected viral encephalitis were screened for HBoV and routine encephalitis-causing viruses. Using ELISA, Western blot and IFA, HBoV-specific Ig were determined in the samples.
Results
Nine samples (134%) were HBoV1 DNA-positive, while one sample (15%) was HBoV2 DNA-positive. HBoV-specific IgM and IgG antibodies were detected in the CSF samples from three children; two samples were HBoV1 DNA-positive and one sample was negative. One death was recorded; CSF from this child was the only HBoV-IgM-positive CSF samples among the 67 CSF tested.
Conclusion
We screened CSF samples obtained from children with encephalitis for the presence of HBoV1 and HBoV2 and specific IgM- or IgG-responses. Detection of viral DNA and/or immunological response to HBoV1/HBoV2 highlights the significance of these viruses as causes of encephalitis in children. Further studies are needed to examine the role of HBoV infection in children encephalitis.
