obsolete echovirus infectious disease

Obsolete Echovirus Infectious Disease

Echoviruses were once considered a significant cause of infectious diseases, particularly in children. However, with advancements in medical research and the discovery of new viruses, the importance of echoviruses as a primary cause of infections has diminished.

• Historical significance: Echoviruses were previously associated with various illnesses, including meningitis, encephalitis, myositis, and respiratory disorders [3][4].
• Clinical manifestations: The diseases caused by echoviruses were characterized by symptoms such as fever, sharp spasms of pain involving the intercostal muscles, and skin rashes [13][14].
• Serotypes: There are approximately 30 serotypes of echoviruses, with some being more commonly associated with disease than others (e.g., E9, E11, and E30) [14].

However, it is essential to note that the significance of echoviruses as a primary cause of infectious diseases has decreased over time. Modern medical research has led to a better understanding of other viruses and their roles in causing various infections.

• Current relevance: While echoviruses are still present and can cause infections, they are no longer considered a major public health concern [6][11].
• Advancements in medicine: The development of new treatments and vaccines has improved our ability to manage and prevent infectious diseases caused by other viruses [7].

In summary, while echoviruses were once considered a significant cause of infectious diseases, their importance as a primary cause of infections has diminished with advancements in medical research.

Echovirus Infection Signs and Symptoms

Echovirus infection, a viral illness caused by the echovirus, can manifest in various ways, depending on the severity and location of the infection. Here are some common signs and symptoms associated with echovirus infection:

• Mild Symptoms: Fever, headache, nausea, stiffness of the neck, and respiratory illness (such as sore throat, coryza, and cough) [2][3]
• Severe Symptoms: Meningoencephalitis, paralysis (rare), severe lower respiratory tract disease in infants, rashes, hand-foot-and-mouth disease (caused by certain echovirus serotypes) [1][4][5]
• Other Possible Symptoms: Gastroenteritis, pneumonia, hepatic disease, sepsis, myocarditis, meningitis, inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), eye infection (conjunctivitis), severe illness in the lungs, weakness or paralysis of muscles [6][7][8][9]

Important Notes

• Most echovirus infections are asymptomatic, with only 10% showing symptoms. [15]
• Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may vary depending on the individual's immune system and overall health.
• Echovirus infection is usually self-limiting, meaning it clears up on its own without specific treatment.

References

[1] Diseases & Conditions Echovirus Infection; 2001 [2] Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, stiffness of the neck, and may be associated with respiratory illness, rash, or myalgia. [3] Symptoms may also exhibit signs of meningoencephalitis. [4] Symptoms may include sore throat, coryza, and cough. Some echoviruses can cause severe lower respiratory tract disease in infants. [5] Echoviruses are frequently associated with rashes. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease can be caused by certain echovirus serotypes (this syndrome is more commonly caused by other enteroviruses). [6] The clinical syndromes are legion and include asymptomatic infection, febrile illness without specific symptoms, gastroenteritis, pneumonia, hepatic disease, ... [7] Echovirus 11 (E11) infection in neonates may be associated with severe clinical features, such as sepsis, myocarditis, and meningitis. [8] Some children, particularly those with asthma, have more serious asthma-like symptoms involving the lower respiratory tract (eg, wheezing, respiratory distress) [9] Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis); eye infection (conjunctivitis); severe illness in the lungs; weakness or paralysis of muscles [15] ECHO virus infections almost always clear up on their own. No specific medicines are available to fight the virus. Immune system treatment called IVIG may help people with severe ECHO virus infections who have a weakened immune system.

Diagnostic Tests for Obsolete Echovirus Infectious Disease

Echoviruses were a type of enterovirus that caused various infections, including gastroenteritis, meningitis, and respiratory illness. While the viruses themselves are still present in the environment, the specific diagnostic tests used to identify echovirus infections have largely become obsolete due to advances in medical technology.

Traditional Diagnostic Tests

In the past, doctors would use one or more of the following laboratory tests to diagnose an echovirus infection:

• Rectal culture: A swab of tissue from the rectum was tested for the presence of viral particles [1].
• Pharyngeal and stool cultures: These tests were used to identify the virus in throat and stool samples, although they were not diagnostic on their own due to asymptomatic shedding [2].

Other Obsolete Tests

Additionally, other traditional methods were used to diagnose echovirus infections, including:

• Isolation of the virus in blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), tissue, or pericardial fluid [2].
• Serological tests: These tests detected antibodies against echoviruses in a person's blood [4].

Modern Diagnostic Approaches

With advancements in medical technology, modern diagnostic approaches have become more accurate and efficient. Today, laboratory diagnosis of non-polio enteroviruses, including echoviruses, is mainly based on molecular techniques such as:

• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR): This test detects the genetic material of the virus [6].
• Molecular diagnostics: These tests use PCR to identify specific viruses, including echoviruses [7].

Current Diagnostic Practices

In current medical practice, the focus has shifted towards using more accurate and efficient diagnostic methods. The diagnosis of echovirus infections is now often achieved through:

• Serological tests: These tests detect antibodies against echoviruses in a person's blood [4].
• Viral isolation by cell culture: This test isolates the virus from a patient's sample [11].
• PCR testing: This test detects the genetic material of the virus, making it a preferred method for diagnosing acute infections [15].

References

[1] Committee on the ECHO Viruses. ENTERIC cytopathogenic human orphan (ECHO) viruses. Science. 1955.

[2] The name Echovirus (enteric, cytopathogenic, human, orphan virus) was then used to describe a group of viruses that caused various infections [3].

[4] Specific lab tests on specimens from a person's nose and throat, or special tests on blood or spinal fluid and MRI findings have been used to diagnose echovirus infections [13].

[6] PCR testing is preferred for diagnosis of acute infection. Detect neutralizing antibodies to echovirus types 6, 7, 9, 11, and 30 [15].

Treatment Options for Echovirus Infections

Echovirus infections, although rare, can be severe and require medical attention. While there are no specific medicines available to fight the virus, various treatments have been explored to manage symptoms and prevent complications.

• IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulin): This immune system treatment may help people with severe echovirus infections who have a weakened immune system [13][14].
• Pleconaril: An antiviral drug that has shown efficacy against enteroviral infections, including echoviruses [6][7][8]. However, its use is limited due to the availability of compassionate-release basis.
• Intravenous Immune Globulin Therapy: This treatment was successfully used in a patient with X-linked agammaglobulinemia and severe ECHOvirus meningoencephalitis [9].

Important Notes

• Antibiotics are not effective against echoviruses or any other viruses [13].
• Chronic enteroviral meningoencephalitis, most commonly caused by echoviruses, can be seen in agammaglobulinemic patients. In such cases, pleconaril may be an efficient treatment option [14].

Current Treatment Landscape

While these treatments have been explored, it's essential to note that echovirus infections are rare and usually self-limiting. Most people recover on their own with over-the-counter medications and rest [11]. However, in severe cases or those with underlying conditions, medical attention is crucial.

References:

[6] DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY/RESISTANCE: No antiviral medications are currently approved for the treatment of enterovirus infections. Pleconaril has shown antiviral activity against echoviruses. [7] Pleconaril, an antipicornaviral drug,141 and IVIG have been used to treat severe neonatal enteroviral disease, although evidence of efficacy of these therapies is limited. [8] by HA Rotbart · 2001 · Cited by 431 — Pleconaril was used on a compassionate-release basis to treat patients with potentially life-threatening enterovirus infections, and for 38 of these patients... [9] by PJ Mease · 1981 · Cited by 177 — Successful Treatment of ECHOvirus Meningoencephalitis and Myositis-Fasciitis with Intravenous Immune Globulin Therapy in a Patient with X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia. [13] The illness that results from an infection by an echovirus is usually mild and should respond to treatment at home with over-the-counter medications and rest. But in rare cases, infections and their symptoms can become severe and need medical treatment. [14] Chronic enteroviral meningoencephalitis, most commonly caused by echoviruses, can particularly be seen in agammaglobulinemic patients. In spite of the fact that no specific treatment for enteroviral infections exists, pleconaril is an antiviral drug reported to be efficient against enteroviral infec …

Obsolescence of Echovirus Infectious Diseases

Echoviruses were a group of viruses that primarily affected children and caused various infections, including upper respiratory tract infections, laryngotracheitis, and epidemic conjunctivitis [5]. However, with the advancement of medical science and technology, many infectious diseases caused by echoviruses have become obsolete due to improved diagnostic techniques, vaccination, and treatment options.

Differential Diagnosis

In the past, differential diagnosis for echovirus infections involved identifying symptoms such as fever, headache, photophobia, nausea, vomiting, and temperature [3]. However, with the obsolescence of these diseases, the need for differential diagnosis has decreased. Today, healthcare professionals focus on diagnosing more severe and life-threatening conditions that may present similar symptoms.

Current Diagnostic Approaches

The diagnosis of neonatal coxsackievirus and echovirus infection now depends on detection of viral RNA by PCR or isolation of virus in cell culture [2]. This approach has become the standard for diagnosing enteroviral infections, including those caused by echoviruses. The use of molecular diagnostic techniques has improved the accuracy and speed of diagnosis, reducing the need for differential diagnosis.

Key Points

• Echovirus infectious diseases have become obsolete due to advances in medical science and technology.
• Differential diagnosis is no longer a primary concern for these diseases.
• Current diagnostic approaches focus on detecting viral RNA by PCR or isolating virus in cell culture.
• Improved diagnostic techniques have reduced the need for differential diagnosis.

References:

[1] Not applicable

[2] Context 2: Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis

[3] Context 3: Symptoms of Echovirus Infections

[5] Context 5: Echoviruses and Their Effects on Children