France Reports Rise in Severe Neonatal Infections Caused by a New Enterovirus (Echovirus-11) Variant

Abstract

The surge in severe neonatal sepsis cases caused by a novel variant of Echovirus 11 (E-11) in France and several European countries has sparked concern. The affected infants, mostly premature and twins, displayed rapid clinical decline within days after birth, presenting symptoms akin to septic shock with hepatic impairment and multi-organ failure. Laboratory findings revealed profound coagulopathy, low platelet counts, and acute renal failure, indicating severe disease progression. Genetic analysis identified a distinct recombinant E-11 lineage, previously unseen in France before July 2022. Despite its novelty, the exact pathogenicity remains uncertain. Although the World Health Organization downplaying immediate public health risks, the absence of a robust global surveillance program hinders accurate prevalence assessment. To mitigate the impact of this novel E-11 variant, establishing robust surveillance, refining diagnostic capabilities, and exploring therapeutic interventions such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and pocapavir are imperative for effective management and prevention strategies.

Keywords: France; Neonatal infections; echovirus-11; enterovirus; human enterovirus.