Seroprevalence of group B Coxsackieviruses: Retrospective study in an Italian population

• Published in: Journal of medical virology 2020-12, Vol.92 (12), p.3138-3143
• Main Authors: Sciandra, Ilaria, Falasca, Francesca, Maida, Paola, Tranquilli, Giulia, Di Carlo, Daniele, Mazzuti, Laura, Melengu, Taulant, Giannelli, Gianluigi, Antonelli, Guido, Turriziani, Ombretta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibodies; Antibodies, Neutralizing - blood; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Child; Child, Preschool; Children; Coxsackievirus; Coxsackievirus Infections - epidemiology; Coxsackievirus Infections - immunology; Coxsackievirus Infections - virology; Coxsackieviruses; Enterovirus; Enterovirus B, Human - classification; Enterovirus B, Human - immunology; Enteroviruses; epidemiology; Female; Health risks; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infections; Italy - epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; neutralizing antibodies; Population studies; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Rome - epidemiology; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Serogroup; Serology; seroprevalence; Serotypes; Virology; Viruses; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0146-6615; 1096-9071
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26096

Group B Coxsackieviruses (CVB) include six serotypes (B1‐6) responsible for a wide range of clinical diseases. Since no recent seroepidemiologic data are available in Italy, the study aim was to investigate CVB seroprevalence in a wide Italian population. The study retrospectively included 2459 subjects referring to a large academic hospital in Rome (Italy) in the period 2004‐2016. Seroprevalence rates and neutralizing antibodies (nAb) titers were evaluated in relation to years of observation and subjects’ characteristics. Positivity for at least one serotype was detected in 69.1% of individuals. Overall, the prevalent serotype was B4, followed by B3 (33.3%), B5 (26.2%), B1 (12.7%), B2 (11.0%), and B6 (1.7%). For B2, a significant decrease in seroprevalence over years was observed. Positivity to at least one virus was 25.2% in children aged 0 to 2 years, but significantly increased in preschool (3‐5 years) (50.3%) and school (6‐10 years) children (70.4%). Higher nAb responses for B3 and B4 were observed in children aged 3 to 5 years. A high overall CVB prevalence was found. Type‐specific variations in prevalence over time probably reflect the fluctuations in circulation typical of Enteroviruses. Children are at greater risk for CVB infection given the high number of seronegative subjects aged 0 to 10 years. Highlights The high seroprevalence found in the population of study demonstrates the wide circulation of CVB. The 6 CVB serotypes showed different seropositivity rates, with B4 being the most prevalent type. Seroprevalence increases with age, and pre‐school children are at higher risk for CVB infection.