Molecular detection of human parechovirus in children with acute gastroenteritis in Guangzhou, China

Human parechoviruses (HPeVs) are widespread pathogens causing a wide spectrum of diseases. The prevalence and genetic diversity of HPeV in children with acute diarrhea in China is not well known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of HPeV in Guangzhou, China. A total of 328 stool specimens collected from children under the age of 5 years with acute diarrhea were tested for the presence of HPeV. Of these, 44 (13.4 %, 44/328) were HPeV positive, with the majority of the infected children (97.7 %, 43/44) being younger than two years of age. HPeV was more frequently detected during July and August. The epidemiological profile of co-infections was similar to that observed in a previous study. Six different HPeV genotypes, including HPeV1, -3, -4, -5, -6, and -14, were identified, and of these, HPeV14, a rarely reported genotype, was reported for the first time in children with acute gastroenteritis in China. In summary, this study clearly demonstrated that HPeV circulating in Guangzhou, China, is genetically diverse, including six genotypes, and it provides useful epidemiological data on the features of HPeV infection in this area.