Detection of corona-like virus in a case of flaccid paraparesis in Belém, Pará State, Brazil Detecção de virus corona-like em um caso de paraparesia flácida em Belém, Estado do Pará, Brasil Detección de virus corona-like en un caso de paraparesia flácida en Belém, Estado de Pará, Brasil

In this study, we analyzed a fecal sample of a female infant with paralysis and other clinical symptoms that resembled poliomyelitis. Negative staining electron microscopy showed viral particles with a diameter of approximately 120 nm and displaying a crown-like appearance with surface projections. Ultrathin sections showed particles budding from the membranes of the Golgi apparatus. Based on these results, we propose the association of this virus with the neurological disorder and tentatively assign it to the Coronaviridae family. Further studies are required on this proposed relationship.