Neonatal Enteroviral Meningoencephalitis: Clinical and Paraclinical Characteristics of a Nosocomial Outbreak in Colombia

Abstract

Enteroviruses (EVs) are a common cause of infection in neonates, they spread from person to person by a variety of routes and can cause severe symptoms and complications, including meningoencephalitis, myocarditis, and hepatic failure. We report the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of six patients diagnosed in a hospital cluster with late-onset sepsis, mostly preterm newborns. The most common symptoms were the same as a sepsis-like syndrome, the predominant sign of presentation was fever. The most frequent laboratory finding was elevated C-reactive protein, and later positive cerebrospinal fluid multiplex for EVs. Support treatment was given. A benign course was observed. Seizures were the only complication, with a normal electroencephalography at 6-month follow-up. In-hospital cases would benefit from a high clinician suspicion and early detection for achieving immediate isolation and containment measures to limit the spread to sick and vulnerable newborns, avoiding clusters.