Viral aetiology in paediatric age group patients admitted with acute febrile encephalopathy in Western Rajasthan.

PURPOSE: In this study, we are trying to find out viral aetiology in paediatric age group patients from 1 month to 15 years of age in Western Rajasthan region.

METHODS

A total of 105 patients from 1 month to 15 years were recruited into this study. CSF samples were collected and were processed by multiplex real-time PCR for detection of various predefined panels of viral agents. ELISA was also done for all samples for detection of dengue, JE, measles and mumps.

RESULTS

A total of 32 samples out of 105 were tested positive for viral agents. Viral aetiology detected in this study were Adenovirus (n ​= ​2), EBV (n ​= ​1), HHV-1 (n ​= ​10), HHV-6 (N ​= ​5), Parechovirus (n ​= ​1), Parvovirus B19 (n ​= ​7), Dengue (n ​= ​2) and Measles (n ​= ​1). Mixed infections were also detected, HHV-1 and HHV-6 (n ​= ​2), HHV-1 and Parvovirus B19 (n ​= ​1). In 73 patients no viral aetiology could be detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Parvovirus B19 is sporadically prevalent in this geographical region. In this study, HHV-6 was also found which has not been reported earlier from India.