[Clinical significance and the first identification of human parechoviruses in Hungary]. / A humán parechovírusok klinikai jelentosége és elso hazai azonosítása.

UNLABELLED: Human parechoviruses (HPeV) belonging to the family Picornaviridae are widespread enteric pathogens and are associated with various clinical syndromes in human. At present, 16 HPeV genotypes (HPeV1-16) are known. There is no report on the detection of HPeVs in Central Europe. AIMS: The aim of the retrospective study was to detect and characterize HPeVs using molecular methods in cell cultures with "enterovirus-like" cytophatic effect (CPE) archived between 1990 and 2004, in two virology laboratories, in Hungary. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In Laboratory I, fecal samples from children with symptoms of gastroenteritis under the age of 10 years were cultured as a previous routine diagnostic laboratory protocol for "enterovirus". Cell cultures indicating CPE were archived between 1990 and 2000. In Laboratory II, 2 fecal samples, a liquor and a nasopharyngeal aspirate were re-tested which contained an "enterovirus-like" virus in cell cultures and were positive by HPeV1 neutralization immunosera between 2000 and 2004. Specimens were tested retrospectively for HPeV by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) method using 5'UTR conserved primers. Specific primers were designed to determine the HPeV structural region (VP0-VP3-VP1). RESULTS: 9 of the 66 archived samples (9.1%) from Laboratory I and all the 4 samples from Laboratory II were found to be HPeV-positive. 10 samples were identified as HPeV1, 2 were HPeV4 and 1 could not be determined. 3 HPeV1 clusters were identified in Laboratory I according to the isolation date originated from years 1990/1991, 1992/1995 and 1998. HPeV1 was detected in clinical syndromes: gastroenteritis (in a 24-years-old adult), recurrent stomatitis aphtosa (in a 42-years-old adult), encephalitis and ataxia cerebellaris acuta in infants and children in Laboratory II. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first detection of HPeVs in Central Europe. Detection and genetic characterization of HPeV in available historical samples infected with previously unidentifiable agents with "enterovirus-like" cytopathogenic effect may help to understand the clinical importance and spectrum of the infections and the genetic diversity and evolution of these viruses.

Detection and characterization of human parechoviruses in archived cell cultures, in Hungary.

BACKGROUND: Human parechoviruses (HPeV) belonging to the family Picornaviridae are widespread enteric pathogens and associated with various clinical symptoms in humans. OBJECTIVES: There is no report for detection of the circulating parechoviruses in Central Europe. The aim of this retrospective study was to detect and characterize human parechoviruses in cell cultures with "enterovirus"-like cytophatic effect (CPE) archived between 1990 and 2000, in Hungary. STUDY DESIGN: Fecal samples from children with symptoms of gastroenteritis under age of 10 were cultured as a previous routine diagnostic laboratory protocol for "enterovirus". Cell cultures indicating CPE were archived and deeply chilled (-80 degrees C) from minimum 2 individuals (2-12 patients) in each year. Specimens were tested retrospectively, in 2009, for HPeV by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) method using 5'UTR conserved primers. Specific primer pairs were designed to determine the complete nucleotide sequence of the structural region (VP0-VP3-VP1) of HPeV. RESULTS: Nine (9.1%) of 66 archived samples were found to be HPeV-positive. Six (67%) samples were identified as HPeV1, 2 (22%) were HPeV4 and 1 could not be determined. Three HPeV1 clusters were identified according to the isolation date originated from years 1990/1991, 1992/1995 and 1998. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first detection of human parechoviruses in Central Europe. Detection and genetic characterization of HPeV in available historical samples infected with previously unidentifiable agents with "enterovirus-like" cytopathogenic effect help to understand the genetic diversity and evolution of these viruses.

Eight-year survey of human rotavirus strains demonstrates circulation of unusual G and P types in Hungary.

Between 1992 and 2000, a total of 4173 rotavirus-positive samples were collected from two areas of Hungary. Of these, 2020 specimens (48.4%) were analyzed for G serotype, using monoclonal antibody-based immunoassay and reverse transcription-PCR. By the two methods, 1789 samples were specified as G1 (62%), G2 (12.2%), G3 (1.4%), G4 (6.4%), G6 (1.0%), G9 (2.9%), or mixed infection (2.6%), and the remaining 231 (11.4%) could not be G typed. The linkage between G and P type, subgroup specificity, and RNA profile was investigated with a sample subset. Among these specimens, we identified both the four globally common strains (P[8],G1 subgroup II (sgII); P[4],G2 sgI; P[8],G3 sgII; and P[8],G4 sgII) and six uncommon strains (P[6],G4 sgII; P[9],G3 sgI; P[9],G6 sgI; P[14],G6 sgI; P[8],G9 sgII; and P[8],G9 sgI). All strains with P[8], P[6], P[9], and P[14] specificities had a long electropherotype, whereas most of those carrying a P[4] specificity were associated with a short electropherotype. Although once considered to be rare, P[9],G6 and P[8],G9 rotavirus strains represent potentially important new serotypes in Hungary.

Screening adenoviruses in stool samples: evaluation of a genus-specific monoclonal antibody based enzyme immunoassay.

To screen fecal samples for adenovirus antigens a genus-specific monoclonal antibody based enzyme immunoassay was developed. In a comparative analysis with commercial latex agglutination test, high sensitivity was demonstrated. The assay did not detect other viruses usually found in faeces suggesting its specificity. One hundred and eighty stool samples collected in Baranya County were tested and 13 (7.2%) of them showed reactivity. The application of our immunoassay combined with other, more sophisticated methods may help us to determine the serotype specificity of these adenovirus isolates and assess the importance of adenoviruses in viral gastroenteritis.

[Outbreak of human rotavirus infection in an adult community]. / Humán rotavírusjárvány felnótt közösségben.

INTRODUCTION: Group A rotaviruses are known as the major cause of severe dehydrating diarrhoea in infants. AIMS: In adults, the rotavirus infections are usually asymptomatic. In the present study the authors report a group A rotavirus outbreak in a psychiatric nursing home for adults. RESULTS: The outbreak lasted 3 weeks; the attack rate was 20%. The mean age of patients was 39 y (range 21 to 65; n = 25). The symptoms were mild, and most of the patients recovered within 2 or 3 days. The epidemiological data suggested that the virus was introduced by a patient, and it was transmitted by person-to-person route. Rotavirus positive specimens were characterised by serotyping and electropherotyping. The serotype-specific monoclonal antibody immunoassay demonstrated the circulation of a common strain with G1 specificity. These samples shared identical genome profile with strains circulated in the paediatric communities of the country. CONCLUSION: In Hungary, this is the first published gastroenteritis outbreak among adults caused by group A rotaviruses with G1 serotype specificity.