Adenovirus infection, a common childhood virus, is the leading hypothesis behind recent cases of severe hepatitis of unknown origin in children that have caused at least six deaths, US health officials said on Friday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said they are still investigating whether the 180 cases identified in 36 states and territories since October represent an increased rate of pediatric hepatitis or whether an existing pattern has been revealed thanks to better detection.
In April, the agency issued a nationwide alert for doctors to be on the lookout for children with hepatitis, which can cause liver damage and lead to liver failure.
Dr. Jay Butler, deputy director of infectious diseases at the CDC, said in a conference call that about half of the children diagnosed in recent months were also infected with a type of adenovirus, a virus that causes the common cold, but that the agency is investigating the exact cause of the illness.
Read more: “We don’t need the Mayan Train, we need the jungle”: actors and musicians
Adenovirus is the main hypothesis of severe hepatitis in children: CDC
“Evidence is accumulating that adenovirus, particularly adenovirus-41, plays a role,” Butler said, noting that one theory is that pandemic mitigation measures may have limited exposure to adenovirus, which has caused a “surge” in infections with reduced social distancing and other health efforts.
Hepatitis associated with this type of adenovirus has been associated almost exclusively with immunosuppressed children, but many of the cases first reported to the CDC did not have such conditions.
The CDC is also investigating whether COVID infection may be playing a role, as well as other pathogens, medications and risk factors.
Compared to pre-pandemic rates, the agency said it has not seen an overall increase in the incidence of severe hepatitis in children, which remains rare, with about 1,500 to 2,000 cases identified in a typical year.
Cwith information from Reuters.
It may interest you: The application of the Cuban Abdala vaccine in children in Mexico is worrying: Concamin
–
