ECHO virus infection
Key points
- Enteric cytopathic human orphan (ECHO) viruses are a group of enteroviruses that produce varying symptoms including rashes, respiratory illness, croup-like syndromes, and nonspecific fevers.
- ECHO virus infections are common and usually take the form of gastrointestinal infection and skin rashes.
- ECHO virus can be identified from throat, stool, and rectal swabs or from spinal fluid.
- ECHO virus infections tend to clear up on their own.
Alternative names
Nonpolio enterovirus infection
Definition
Enteric cytopathic human orphan (ECHO) viruses are a group of enteroviruses that produce varying symptoms including rashes, respiratory illness, croup-like syndromes, and nonspecific fevers.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
ECHO virus infections are common and usually take the form of gastrointestinal infection and skin rashes.
More serious infections are seen less frequently but are of significant importance. As many as one out of five cases of aseptic meningitis (a brain infection not caused by bacteria) is thought to be caused by an ECHO virus.
Symptoms
ECHO viruses cause a wide variety of conditions. Symptoms vary with the type of disease produced and can be found under the specific diagnosis:
- Acute gastroenteritis
- Viral pharyngitis
- Herpangina (mouth sores)
- Croup
- Upper respiratory infection
- Pneumonia
- Pericarditis
- Myocarditis
- Aseptic meningitis
- Encephalitis
Signs and tests
ECHO virus can be identified from throat, stool, and rectal swabs or from spinal fluid.
See the individual diseases for specific tests.
Treatment
ECHO virus infections tend to clear up on their own. No specific antiviral medications are available. However, a new drug called pleconaril is undergoing clinical trials and can be tried for life-threatening infections.
An immune booster called IVIG may help immunocompromised patients with severe ECHO virus infections.
Expectations (prognosis)
Complete recovery without treatment in patients who have the less severe types of illness. Infections of organs such as the heart (pericarditis and myocarditis) may cause severe disease and can be fatal.
Complications
Complications vary with the site and type of infection. Myocarditis and pericarditis may be fatal while other types of infection improve spontaneously.
Calling your health care provider
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.