LB8. Outbreak of Enterovirus A71 Neurologic Disease in Children—Colorado, 2018

Abstract

BackgroundIn May 2018, an outbreak of enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) neurologic disease was detected at Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHCO) prompting a public health investigation. We characterized clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings during this outbreak.MethodsA case was defined as meningitis, encephalitis, or acute flaccid myelitis with EV-A71 identified from a biologic specimen in a child examined at CHCO after March 1, 2018. Biologic specimens from children with neurologic disease and EV identified by clinical reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were typed by VP1 sequencing at CDC.ResultsAs of July 20, 2018, 28 cases of EV-A71 neurologic disease were identified. This report describes the clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings for the first 13 children identified with EV-A71 neurologic disease, for whom complete information is available. The median age was 13 months (range = 10 days–35 months) and 11 (85%) were male. Neurologic presentations included 12 (92%) with meningitis, 9 (69%) with encephalitis, and 3 (23%) with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). All 13 children had fever and irritability; 3 (23%) had hand, foot, and mouth disease. Neurologic signs included encephalopathy (n = 7, 54%), ataxia (n = 7, 54%), myoclonus (n = 6, 46%), limb weakness (n = 4, 31%), cranial nerve deficits (n = 2, 15%), and seizures (n = 1, 8%). Nine (90%) of 10 children with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimen analyzed had a pleocytosis (>5 white blood cells/uL); 6 of 8 (75%) children who had brain imaging showed abnormalities, with 5 (63%) in the brainstem, 3 (38%) in the cerebellum, and 3 (38%) in the spinal cord. All 13 children had EV-A71 identified in nasopharyngeal, pharyngeal, or fecal specimens; only 2 of 11 (18%) tested had EV identified in CSF. All 13 children were hospitalized and 4 (31%) required intensive care. The 3 (23%) children with AFM had residual limb weakness at time of discharge. All children survived.ConclusionEV-A71 should be considered when children present with myoclonus, ataxia, or limb weakness in the setting of a febrile illness. Testing of nonsterile sites (respiratory, pharyngeal, or fecal) should be considered when CNS disease associated with EV is suspected and initial CSF testing is negative.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.