A retrospective study of echovirus type 30 isolated from patients with viral meningitis in Zhejiang Province in China from 2002 to 2011

Viral meningitis is one of the most common neurological disorders caused by enteroviruses. Among them, echovirus (Enteric Cytopathogenic Human Orphan virus) serotype 30 (E30) is described as the main etiological agent of many outbreaks and sporadic cases. E30 is one of the most commonly isolated echoviruses and has often been associated with aseptic meningitis, responsible for many of the outbreaks and sporadic cases worldwide throughout history. Surveillance of aseptic meningitis and its etiological agents is essential, considering its epidemic potential. The exact annual incidence of viral meningitis caused by E30 in Zhejiang Province in China is unknown. This study investigated the epidemics of E30 isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and stool of viral meningitis cases that occurred from 2002 to 2011 in Zhejiang Province, China. Over a 10-year period (2002 to 2011), 104 E30 were isolated from 1035 patients with viral meningitis (10.04%). The present results may contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology of viral meningitis in the region.