Seroprevalence of EV-A71 and EV-D68 antibodies in the paediatric and adolescent population, France, 2023 to 2025
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUNDEnteroviruses (EV)-A71 and EV-D68 are potentially associated with severe clinical conditions, especially in infants and young children. Population susceptibility to these viruses is unknown in France.AIMWe sought to estimate seroprevalence of EV-A71 and EV-D68 neutralising antibodies (nAbs) among children and adolescents living in France.METHODSA stratified sampling approach based on sex, age and geographical area of residence was applied to obtain sera for routine diagnostic from ˂ 18-year-olds in metropolitan France. A total of 501 serum samples collected between 2023 and 2025 from 0-17-year-olds were included in the investigation. Neutralising activity was tested against EV-A71 sub-genogroup C1 and EV-D68 subclade B3 strains isolated in 2016, allowing to determine seropositivity and nAb titre. Data were analysed overall, by sex, age group and geographical area.RESULTSFor EV-A71, the overall estimated seroprevalence was 43.7% (95% CI: 39.3-48.2) while for EV-D68 this reached 96.0% (95% CI: 93.9-97.5). No differences according to sex were observed. Unlike EV-D68, EV-A71 seropositivity rate varied significantly by age group (p = 0.002) and area of residence (p < 0.001). Notably, 23 of 25 children aged ˂ 1 year lacked EV-A71 protective antibodies. Concerning nAb titres, significant differences occurred across age groups both for EV-A71 (p = 0.004) and EV-D68 (p < 0.001). The nAb titres appeared as highest in 1 to under-2-year-olds for EV-A71 and 0 to under-1-year-olds for EV-D68.CONCLUSIONThis seroprevalence study in France reveals a high proportion of newborns and infants susceptible to EV-A71 at potential risk of severe disease, contrasting with the high level of immunity against EV-D68 across all paediatric age groups.
Source: Eurosurveillance
Authors: Hélène Chabrolles, Audrey Mirand, Benoît Visseaux, Marie Louchet-Ducoroy, Sonia Burrel, Mathilde Gay, Eline Brémond, Cyril Debuysschere, Mouna Lazrek, Marion Jeannoel, Isabelle Schuffenecker, Léa Luciani, Véronique Venard, Evelyne Schvoerer, Céline Bressollette-Bodin, Audrey Rodallec, Elyanne Gault, Laurent Andreoletti, Thibault Tromeur, Juliette Besombes, Marie Gueudin, Pauline Trémeaux, Sébastien Lhomme, Stéphanie Marque-Juillet, Céline Lambert, Maxime Bisseux, Jean-Luc Bailly, Cécile Henquell
Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Clermont Auvergne, Laboratoire Microorganismes Génome et Environnement, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Clermont-Ferrand, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Amiens-Picardie, Université de Bordeaux, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Laboratoire de Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire de Nancy, Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour les Matériaux et l'Environnement, Université de Lorraine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Ambroise-Paré, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Reims, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rouen, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Centre Hospitalier de Versailles
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funder: Public Health Agency
OpenAlex ID: W7225413823