Pathologic Studies of Fatal Cases in Outbreak of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, Taiwan
Author Information
Author(s): Wun-Ju Shieh, Shih-Ming Jung, Chuen Hsueh, Tseng-Tong Kuo, Anthony Mounts, Umesh Parashar, Chen Fu Yang, Jeannette Guarner, Thomas G. Ksiazek, Jacqueline Dawson, Cynthia Goldsmith, Gwong-Jen J. Chang, Steve M. Oberste, Mark A. Pallansch, Larry J. Anderson, Sherif R. Zaki, the Epidemic Working Group
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
Can enterovirus 71 (EV71) and Japanese encephalitis virus be definitively linked to fatal cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Conclusion
The study found that two different etiologic agents caused similar diseases during the outbreak, highlighting the importance of postmortem examinations.
Supporting Evidence
- An outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease occurred in Taiwan in 1998.
- Enterovirus 71 was identified as the main etiologic agent associated with high death rates in young children.
- Histopathologic examination revealed severe encephalomyelitis in both fatal cases.
- Different laboratory tests confirmed the presence of EV71 and Japanese encephalitis virus in the respective cases.
Takeaway
Two kids got very sick and died from a virus outbreak, and doctors found out that different viruses caused their illnesses, showing how important it is to check closely after someone dies.
Methodology
Histopathologic examination and various laboratory tests were performed on CNS tissues and major organs of the patients.
Limitations
The study only examined two fatal cases, which may not represent the entire outbreak.
Participant Demographics
Both cases involved young children who were previously healthy.
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