Echovirus Research Articles

A case of mild paralytic disease due to Echo virus type 11.

A case of mild paralytic disease due to Echo virus type 11.

Orchitis, parotitis and meningoencephalitis due to lymphocytic-choriomeningitis virus.

SINCE Wallgren's1 original description of aseptic meningitis a large number of diverse etiologic agents have been associated with this syndrome. When the meningitis has been accompanied by parotitis and orchitis the likeliest cause has been mumps, whether or not viral diagnostic studies have been performed. With the wider use of laboratory methods, however, Coxsackie and ECHO viruses have been associated with cases showing either orchitis2 , 3 or parotitis4 , 5 although in none of these reports were all three manifestations seen in a single patient. The purpose of this communication is to report this clinical triad in a patient infected with the lymphocytic-choriomeningitis . . .

Echo Virus Type 7 Infections in a Continuously Observed Population Group in Southern Louisiana

Summary and Conclusions During a study of the natural occurrence of poliovirus infections in southern Louisiana, 115 families were kept under continuous observation during the 3 years, 1954–1956. In this period 207 isolations of E7 virus were made in relation to 55 distinct episodes of household infection. Of these, 40 occurred in 1956, apparently reflecting a major but silent epidemic of E7 infection. Analysis of the age-immunity profile and of the annual and seasonal occurrence of infection in the study group and of the infection and immunity patterns within households suggests a very close parallelism between the occurrence of E7 virus infection and that of any single poliovirus type.

Progress in Medical Virology. Vol. 3

The essays in this third volume are devoted to serodiagnosis (Schmidt and Lennette); overwintering of arthropodborne virus (Reeves); fluorescent antibody methods (Poetschke); the search for antiviral drugs (Herrmann); Coxsackie and ECHO viruses (Gelfand); live virus vaccines for poliomyelitis, mumps, and measles ( Smorodintsev ); viruses and congenital malformations ( Blattner and Heys ); and viral leukemia ( Dmochowski). All are excellent and each includes long and well-chosen bibliographies. The chapter on serodiagnosis is a review of recent advances, and regrettably lacks a discussion of the usefulness of various methods in terms of particular diseases, something the authors might easily have provided from their own experience. Similarly, the chapter on chemotherapy is concerned with methodology and the difficulties in screening and judging the usefulness of drugs through laboratory tests, but is silent on the effectiveness of known preparations. Dr. Gelfand's chapter is unusually complete and scholarly. His discussion of the ecologic problems of enteric viruses is

Presence of two interrferring enterovirral agents (ECHO virus type 9 and poliovirus type 2) in the human central nervous system.

A cytopathogenic and suckling-mouse pathogenic agent isolated from the CNS of an infant appeared to consist essentially of two different interfering viruses. The major component was ECHO-9 virus, the minor component was polio virus type 2. Both viruses were segregated by various methods: (1) cultivation in human papilloma cells, in which only the poliovirus multiplied, (2) plating of high dilutions of monkey kidney culture fluid, which yielded ECHO-9 single plaque progeny, (3) suckling-mouse passage. Poliomyelitis-like lesions developed after intracerebral and intraspinal inoculation of monkey kidney culture fluid containing both components, but only in monkeys that had been treated with cortisone. The CNS of these monkeys yielded mostly ECHO-9 virus, and occasionally poliovirus type 2. ECHO-9 virus was the interfering agent, which considerably suppressed the multiplication of poliovirus type 2, not only through a number of monkey kidney culture passages, but also in the CNS of monkeys. Since the high concentration of virus found in the CNS of the patient was mainly a result of a high concentration of the ECHO-9 component, the latter has apparently interfered with the poliovirus component also in the human CNS. A slight interfering effect of the poliovirus on the multiplication of ECHO-9 virus has been observed in suckling-mice. Although the ECHO-9 virus has entered the human CNS accompanied by poliovirus type 2, the neuroinvasiveness of the former, under certain conditions, is evident. Likewise, there is evidence of multiplication of this particular strain in the human and monkey CNS. The problem as to whether this virus is able to produce poliomyelitis-like lesions in the human CNS, however, remains to be solved.

Plaque Formation with ECHO Virus Types 15 to 24

Summary ECHO virus types 15 through 20 and types 22 through 24 were studied in Rhesus renal epithelial monolayers for plaque production and for morphology of the plaques formed. All the types studied produced plaques by the fifth day after virus seeding, and three different plaque patterns were observed. Small, irregular plaques with diffuse boundaries and hazy centers were formed by ECHO virus types 15 through 20 and by types 22 and 23; on the basis of plaque morphology, they apparently belong to the “Group A” of Melnick (11). ECHO type 19 also formed another type of plaque which was large, irregular, with diffuse boundaries and clear centers. This did not easily fit into either Group A or Group B. The third pattern was produced by ECHO virus type 24, and was samll, irregular, with sharp boundaries and clear centers; it might form a subgroup with types 1 and 13, and apparently belongs in Group A. To date, four distinct plaque patterns have been observed to be produced by ECHO viruses, and grouping of ECHO viruses according to plaque morphology should aid in their study.

An outbreak of aseptic meningitis associated with a previously unrecognized virus.

In 1959, 69 cases of aseptic meningitis were admitted to various hospitals in Scotland—all apparently due to a Hitherto unrecognized virus. This agent had the characteristics of an ECHO virus but differed from the 28 ECHO viruses at present recognized. Seventy-five strains of the virus were isolated, and human thyroid and human amnion tissue cultures proved much superior to monkey kidney tissue cultures for its isolation.

The incidence of poliomyelitis virus in normal children aged 0–5 years A report on a study by the Public Health Laboratory Service and Local Health Authorities

A survey has been made of a sample of children aged 0–5 years in a number of areas in England and Wales for the presence of symptomless excreters of poliomyeitis virus.The investigation covered a 2-year period from the spring of 1957 to the summer of 1959.Altogether 28, 797 specimens were examined of which 140 were positive for Type 1 virus, 24 for Type 2, and 44 for Type 3, the corresponding rates being 4·85, 0·83, and 1·53 per 1000 specimens respectively.It is estimated that for every notified case of poliomyelitis there were about 140 symptoinless excreters of Type 1 virus. No accurate estimates of this ratio were possible for the other two types, but it was certainly much higher.The incidence of positive specimens was 15 per 1000 in the first and 2·6 per 1000 in the second year of the survey, but there were considerable local variations.Type 2 virus was not isolated during the second year. Most specimens were examined for the presence of salmonellae and shigellae which both had a frequency of about 2 per 1000. The salmonellae were mainly S. typhimurium, and all the shigellae were Sh. sonnei.Some information was obtained on the prevalence of other viruses. Coxsackie B virus was the most commonly isolated and in the second year was commoner than poliomyelitis virus. Its seasonal incidence was roughly the same as that of polio myelitis virus.Adenoviruses were isolated in about 6 per 1000 specimens and were most common in the winter. ECHO viruses were about half as common as adenoviruses and the maximum incidence was in the autumn.The limitations of the sampling method used and the problems of analysis of the results are discussed.

Intestinal viruses of newborn and older prematures.

The human intestinal tract at birth isfree of bacteria, 1 but its status as regards the presence of viruses in the perinatal period is not known. During the first day of life, colonization with intestinal bacteria occurs, and this is usually not associated with illness. 1 The analogous recovery of viruses from the intestinal tract of very young infants who remain well has only recently been reported. Sabin et al. were able to detect ECHO viruses during the first 4 days of life in rectal swabs taken from infants living at home; 7 of 58 infants studied afforded virus recovery. 2 Outbreaks of various illnesses in newborn and older infants caused by members of the enterovirus and adenovirus families have been described, 3-9 and a few longitudinal surveys describing the distribution of enteroviruses and adenoviruses among healthy institutionalized older infants 10,11 and among normal older infants living in the community 12-20 have also been reported.

Aseptic meningitis epidemic due to ECHO 4 virus.

Attention has been directed in recent years toward the study of the ECHO viruses in relation to the production of disease in the human central nervous system (CNS). An evaluation of the clinical and epidemiologic potentialities of these viruses is best obtained from the study of an epidemic caused predominantly by one virus serotype, where the study is supported by virologic data. This report presents the results of a study of an epidemic of aseptic meningitis due to ECHO virus Type 4. The ECHO viruses have been classified, with the polioviruses and the Coxsackie viruses, into the enterovirus group, 1 which currently consists of 61 serotypes. All enteroviruses multiply within the human alimentary tract, and they demonstrate fundamental similarities in physical, biochemical, and epidemiologic characteristics. Each serotype must be studied separately because of the diverse potential for disease production demonstrated by individual serotypes. Disease, when it occurs, may range from

Observations on the Complement-Fixing Antibody Response to Poliovirus in Patients with Certain Coxsackie and Echo Virus Infections

Summary Sera of 579 patients with laboratory evidence of Coxsackie, ECHO, mumps, herpes simplex, WEE, SLE, or unidentified enterovirus infections were tested against unheated poliomyelitis complement-fixing (CF) antigens. Only 26 of these individuals manifested a 4-fold or greater rise in poliovirus antibody, and in four instances the antibody rises were attributable to a recent poliomyelitis vaccination or to dual infection. The titers of the heterologous antibody were generally low. It was observed that a high proportion (18%) of the patients with ECHO 9 virus infection and with no evidence of a dual infection or of vaccination against poliomyelitis, showed 4-fold or greater rises in CF antibody titer to the polioviruses. This was the only nonpoliovirus showing definite evidence of a possible sharing of common antigen(s) with the polioviruses.

Susceptibility of human tumor cells to ECHO viruses and loss of hemag-glutinating capacity of some of the adapted viruses.

Prototype ECHO viruses were studied quantitatively for their ability to adapt to stationary tube cultures of HeLa and KB human tumor cell lines, and for the hemagglutinating activity of the human tumor cell (HTCC) adapted ECHO viruses.

Biological and serological properties of Frater virus -- a cytopathogenic agent associated with aseptic meningitis.

Frater virus, a cytopathogenic agent isolated from cases of aseptic meningitis in Scotland in 1959, was found to resemble the ECHO viruses in its properties. It was not pathogenic for laboratory animals or for hens' eggs, but produced cytopathic changes in cultures of human and monkey tissues. Human thyroid was more susceptible to infection than human amnion, and amnion more than monkey kidney, while HeLa cell cultures failed to show any cytopathic effects. Serologically no relationship was detected between Prater virus and polioviruses, Coxsackie viruses, ECHO virus types 1 to 27, herpes simplex virus and adenoviruses. Among different strains of Frater virus some antigenic variation was detected. Frater virus is thought to be a new type of ECHO virus.

Sensitivity of various viruses to chloroform.

SummaryA number of myxoviruses were found to be susceptible to chloroform on short exposure in the same way that they are sensitive to the action of ether. On the other hand, the adeno, Coxsackie, echo, polio and Coe viruses tested, were resistant to chloroform.

Spectrum and characteristics of the virus inhibitory action of 2-(alpha-hydroxybenzyl)-benzimidazole.

2-(alpha-Hydroxybenzyl)-benzimidazole (HBB) inhibited the cytopathic effects of the following enteroviruses: polio 1 to 3; Coxsackie A9; Coxsackie B 1 to 6; and ECHO virus types 1 to 9, 11 to 21, and 24 to 27. The following enteroviruses were not inhibited: Coxsackie A types 7, 11, 13, 16, and 18; and ECHO types 22, 23, and 28. Other HBB-insusceptible viruses were: arbor B and C, reo 1 to 3; adeno 2 to 4; influenza B; para-influenza 2 and 3; mumps; herpes simplex, and vaccinia. HBB had no inactivating effect on viral infectivity, but rather inhibited some intracellular step in the reproductive cycle of susceptible viruses. With all viruses examined, inhibition of viral cytopathic effects appeared to be due to inhibition of virus multiplication. Virus inhibition by HBB was demonstrable in monkey kidney, HeLa, and ERK cells. HBB-susceptible viruses varied quantitatively in their susceptibility to the compound, and different strains of the same virus also exhibited varying susceptibility. No relationship was found between attenuation of polioviruses and their susceptibility to the compound. After passage of HBB-susceptible enteroviruses in the presence of the compound, virus populations with lowered susceptibility to HBB were obtained. At virus inhibitory concentrations, HBB did not affect the morphology of cells, nor the following cellular metabolic activities: oxygen uptake; glucose utilization; lactic acid production; and incorporation of adenosine into RNA, and of alanine into proteins. The rates of multiplication of HeLa and ERK. cells were not significantly altered by HBB at virus inhibitory concentrations.

Viral Infection of Infancy and Childhood: A Symposium [No. 10] of the Section on Microbiology, The New York Academy of Medicine

This book is the work of 34 authors. They have approached the various diseases caused by viruses from the standpoints of history, characteristics of the virus, and the clinical findings caused by each virus. Chapters concerning physical properties of viruses, differentation between viruses, and infectivity characteristics, should be of interest to the microbiologist. They are highly technical. From the standpoint of the pediatrician, the chapters dealing with viruses as the cause of myocarditis, enteritis, dermatitis, respiratory tract infections, and central nervous system disease are of practical importance. The role of Coxsackie and ECHO viruses is stressed. Prophylaxis against influenza is discussed, and a routine for immunization of young children is recommended. Cultural and serological experiments on measles and varicella viruses are outlined. Because of its comprehensive coverage of the subject matter, this book should be excellent for reference use.

A phase contrast microprecipitin test with poliovirus antigens

The occurrence and development of microprecipitin antibodies to poliovirus antigens was investigated with sera derived from triplenegative persons, triple-positive naturally, immune persons, persons immunized by killed or live poliovirus vaccines, persons with clinical poliomyelitis caused by each of the 3 types of poliovirus, and persons infected with various Coxsackie and ECHO viruses.

Interference phenomena between ECHO virus types 1, 2, 7 and 11

A series of experiments is described in which it has been possible to demonstrate interference in monkey kidney cell cultures between ECHO virus type 1, 2, 7 and 11.

Viral meningoencephalitis

Summary 1.Thirty-one patients with meningoencephalitiswere examined by standard virologic laboratory techniques. An etiological diagnosis was established in 26 of them. 2.Sixteen of the group were found tohave poliomyelitis due to poliovirus Type I. Fifteen of the 16 had paralytic disease. There was 1 death in this group. Five of the 16 patients had received Salk vaccine. 3.Infection caused by ECHO virus Type 9 was encountered in 7 patients. 4.Coxsackie virus Type B3 was isolatedfrom 1 patient, and mumps virus was proved to be the etiological agent in 2. 5.In 5 patients the etiology could not be proved. Summary 1.Thirty-one patients with meningoencephalitiswere examined by standard virologic laboratory techniques. An etiological diagnosis was established in 26 of them. 2.Sixteen of the group were found tohave poliomyelitis due to poliovirus Type I. Fifteen of the 16 had paralytic disease. There was 1 death in this group. Five of the 16 patients had received Salk vaccine. 3.Infection caused by ECHO virus Type 9 was encountered in 7 patients. 4.Coxsackie virus Type B3 was isolatedfrom 1 patient, and mumps virus was proved to be the etiological agent in 2. 5.In 5 patients the etiology could not be proved.

ECHO virus type 13. II. Epidemiologic aspects and clinical associations.

Summary and Conclusions ECHO-13 virus was first obtained from rectal and throat swabs collected in the Philippine Islands in 1953. Isolations were made from 10 apparently healthy children. Serologic evidence of infection was obtained in 11 other individuals. ECHO-13 virus, although not neutralized at a 1:25 dilution by a single pool of American gamma globulin, has been isolated recently in two cities of the United States. Since it is neutralized by Japanese gamma globulin, it is probably also present in Japan. Apparently both complement-fixing and neutralizing antibodies do not remain elevated for long periods of time after infection.1,3 This limits the usefulness of serologic surveys in quantitative studies of the geographic distribution of ECHO-13 virus and the significance of absence of detectable antibody in gamma globulin as a qualitative test for absence of the virus in a population. Two patients hospitalized with CNS disease, one of whom was paralyzed, showed a significant serologic response only to type 13 ECHO virus during the course of their illnesses. CNS pathology was observed in two inoculated monkeys. These data, which may be interpreted as presumptive evidence that ECHO-13 may produce CNS disease in man, are too limited and incomplete to permit any definite conclusions to be drawn at this time; but the increasing evidence that a number of the ECHO viruses and the enteroviruses as a group do possess the potential of producing CNS disease3, 4, 8-18 lends more weight to the probability that an occasional human CNS illness is attributable to ECHO-13 virus. Isolations and serological rises from a few children during outbreaks of diarrhea in Pittsburgh also do not lend themselves to interpretation since several other viral agents were isolated from the feces of other patients. This report therefore can serve only to point suspicion to ECHO-13 virus as a pathogenic agent. It shows what may be expected in terms of virus isolation and serological responses during infection, spread within a family, some of the limitations of serologic survey and summarizes what is known regarding geographic and seasonal distribution.