A severe human parechovirus (HPeV) infection may mimic sepsis in neonates, infants and young children. Most severe infections are due to HPeV-3.
Presenting features:
(1) fever, which may be high
(2) irritability
(3) erythematous rash
Other findings may include:
(1) gastroenteritis
(2) upper respiratory tract infection
(3) hepatitis
Clues to the diagnosis:
(1) abdominal distention
(2) neurologic findings (seizures, encephalitis; flaccid paralysis) with unremarkable CSF findings
(3) serum markers of inflammation (CRP, ESR) are relatively low
RT-PCR or other molecular technique is helpful in establishing the diagnosis.
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Specialty: Pedatrics, Infectious Diseases, Emergency Medicine
