Detecting viruses that cause children with acute myelitis

Scientists have found a virus that can cause acute myelitis in children.

Acute myelitis (AFM) is a rare disease in children, possibly caused by a virus, a symptom similar to polio.

The scientists used the VirScan tool to examine the spinal fluid of 42 patients with acute myelitis and find an immune response to intestinal bacteria along with thousands of other bacteria. Antibodies to the intestinal bacterial strains D68 and A71 were also found in 70% of patients.

Acute myelitis has been responsible for more than 560 cases of polio in children in the US since 2014.(Photo: CNN)

According to Dr. Ryan Schubert, University of California, in patients with acute myelitis, immune cells that produce antibodies move to the area of ​​myeloma. The finding of antibodies against intestinal bacteria D68 and A71 in the patient's spinal fluid indicates virus entry.

Bacterial bacteria cause 10-15 million infections a year, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Common symptoms are fever, runny nose and aching joints.

More than 560 American children have been paralyzed by acute myelitis, since 2014. Finding the virus that causes disease is the first step in helping scientists study the right vaccine.