Background and Objective: Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) leads to significant mortality and morbidity in children. This study was undertaken to identify the viral causes of AES and its correlation with clinicodemographic profile.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 100 children aged 1 to 12 years presenting with fever of <14 days duration and a change in mental status (including symptoms such as confusion, disorientation, coma, or inability to talk) and/or new onset of seizures (excluding simple febrile seizures) [1]. Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) was collected aseptically by lumbar puncture for biochemical and cytological analysis, and for bacteriological culture. Multiplex PCR for the viruses HSV1, HSV2, Varicella zoster virus, Enterovirus, Mumps and Parecho virus was carried out. Serology for Japanese Encephalitis (JE) was done in blood and CSF by ELISA method. Dengue NS1 antigen and IgM ELISA was carried out in both blood and CSF samples. Serum IgM antibody for scrub typhus was done by ELISA method.
Results: Out of 100 children viral cause was detected in 21 patients (Japanese encephalitis -16, Dengue – 4, Varicella zoster virus, Enterovirus and Mumps virus – 1 each). Serum IgM ELISA for scrub typhus was positive in 6 patients. Multiple viral etiology was seen in 2 patients. Mortality was significantly more in females (p=0.021), GCS <8 (p <0.001). Mortality was significantly more with higher CSF neutrophils and higher proteins (p<0.05).
Interpretation and Conclusion: This study concludes that viral causes specially JE contributed in AES in North India. Hence viral pathogens including JE needs to be considered as one of major causative agents while treating patients of AES and further emphasis has to be given for JE vaccination in this region.
Open Access Research Article
Journal of Clinical Immunology
and Microbiology
Arunkumar M | Volume 3; Issue 2 (2022) | JCIM-3(2)-049 | Research Article
Citation: Aggarwal A, et al. Viral Etiology in Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in North Indian Children.
J Clin Immunol Microbiol. 2022;3(2):1-10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46889/JCIM.2022.3203
Viral Etiology in Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in North Indian
Children
Arunkumar M1, Anju Aggarwal2*, Aaradhana Singh3, Rajeev Thakur4, NP Singh5, Prerna Batra6, Rajeev
Malhotra7
1Third Year Student, Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur
Hospital, Delhi, India
2Pediatrics, FIAP, Director Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences and
Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India
3Pediatrics, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru
Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India
4Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, Delhi,
India
5Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg
Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India
6Pediatrics, Professor Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital,
Delhi, India
7Scientist (Statistics), Delhi Cancer Registry, Dr. BR Ambedkar Institute Rotatory Cancer Hospital, AIIMS,
Delhi, India
*Corresponding Author: Anju Aggarwal, MD Pediatrics, FIAP, Director Professor, Department of Pediatrics,
University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India;
Email: aanju67@gmail.com
Received Date: 06-06-2022; Accepted Date: 21-06-2022; Published Date: 28-06-2022
Copyright© 2022 by Aggarwal A, et al. All rights reserved. This is an open access article distributed under the
terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which p