enterovirus epidemic in infants in the summer and fall of 2006

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic procedures in infants presenting with febrile illness in the summer and fall of 2006. Infants younger than 90 days presenting with febrile illness were included. A sepsis evaluation was performed. Stool and/or cerebrospinal fluid were tested for enterovirus (polymerase chain reaction [PCR]). Twenty-four infants were included, with a median age of 36 days (range 5-87). Nineteen infants (79%) were diagnosed with enterovirus infection. In nine infants, both stool and cerebrospinal fluid were tested for enterovirus; both specimens were positive in three infants. In seven infants, only the stool and in three infants, only the cerebrospinal fluid was tested. The five infants without enterovirus infection were only partly tested; in four infants, only the stool and in one infant, only the cerebrospinal fluid was tested. Three infants (13%) were diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, one of which tested positive for enterovirus as well. Twenty-three infants received antibiotic treatment. The median duration of antibiotic treatment of infants without bacterial infection was 3.2 days. Thorough diagnostic evaluation for enterovirus in different specimens is important, as, often, only one specimen is positive for enterovirus. When enterovirus is diagnosed, patient management may be influenced.