Enterovirus-A71 Rhombencephalitis Outbreak in Catalonia: Characteristics, Management and Outcome.

Background: Between April and June 2016, an outbreak of rhombencephalitis (RE) caused by enterovirus (EV) A71 was detected in Catalonia, Spain-the first documented in Western Europe. The clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with this condition differed from those reported in outbreaks occurring in Southeast Asia.

Methods: Observational, multicenter study analyzing characteristics, treatment and outcome of patients with EV-A71 rhombencephalitis diagnosed in 6 publicly funded hospitals within the Catalonian Health Institute.