Echovirus type 9 is an important cause of viral encephalitis among @entity1 and young XXXX in Kuwait.

@entity1 @entity410 @entity198
BACKGROUND: The role of enteroviruses in @entity198 is not fully established. OBJECTIVE: This study determined the role of enteroviruses in @entity198 in neonates, @entity1 and young @entity1 in Kuwait. STUDY DESIGN: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples obtained from 147 @entity1 presenting with 'severe @entity198 ' (n=60), 'mild @entity198 ' (n=43), and @entity410 (n=44) over a 3.5-year period, were analyzed. Enteroviral RNA was detected by one-step reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay and specific enteroviruses were identified by sequencing a variable region of the enteroviral genome. RESULTS: Enteroviral RNA was detected in 29 of 103 (28%) samples obtained from @entity198 @entity1 but only in 8 of 44 (18%) samples from @entity1 with @entity410 . Echovirus type 9 (E9) was detected in 24 of 29 (83%) while E30 was found in 5 of 29 (17%) of enterovirus-positive @entity198 cases. Two of 8 (25%) cases of @entity410 were infected with E9. The E9 viral load was higher in @entity1 with 'severe @entity198 ' than in @entity1 with 'mild @entity198 ' or in @entity1 with @entity410 . All but one @entity198 case had a complete recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Enteroviruses, especially E9 are an important cause of @entity198 among neonates, @entity1 and young @entity1 in Kuwait.
