Congenital enterovirus 71 infection: A case study with virology and immunohistochemistry

Previously reported enterovirus 71 (EV71) infections associated with hand-foot-mouth disease, aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, polio-like myelitis, and paralysis all have involved young children. We report a 28-year-old woman who possibly contracted EV71 infection during pregnancy. Obstetric ultrasonograms at 25 weeks of gestation revealed an abnormal placenta, as well as hepatosplenomegaly, liver calcification, excessive ascites, and mild hydrocephalus of the fetus. Presence of EV71 was determined by immunodot blotting, virus culture, and partial sequencing of the amplified product of nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Postmortem immunohistochemistry further identified EV71 in the fetal midbrain and liver. The findings indicate that intrauterine EV71 infection is possible during pregnancy.