The objective of this study was to identify and characterize the immunological and molecular aspects of Human Enterovirus (HEV) associated with aseptic meningitis cases in São Paulo State, Brazil. Clinical samples (cerebrospinal fluid CSF, stool and sera) were analyzed from 21 viral meningitis suspected cases collected in the period from 1998 to 1999. The isolated virus were identified as belonging to Enterovirus genus and specifically to echovirus serotype 30 (EV-30), using immunological techniques as Indirect Immunofluorescense Assay (IFA) and Neutralization (Nt) and by molecular technique of Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) directed to the 5' NTR and VP1 regions of viral genome. The results obtained contributed with to the surveillance system of São Paulo State and they are important due to a shortage of epidemiological data about the circulation of EV-30 associated to aseptic meningitis in this region of the world.
Enterovirus; viral meningitis; molecular and immunological diagnosis; RT-PCR for Enterovirus; indirect imunnofluorescense assay
