A serological survey of antibodies to selected enteroviruses.

SERA FROM VARIOUS POPULATION GROUPS IN LIBERIA, COLOMBIA, PERU AND SOUTHERN LOUISIANA, USA, HAVE BEEN STUDIED FOR THE PRESENCE OF NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODIES TO THE FOLLOWING ENTEROVIRUSES: poliovirus type 1, Coxsackie viruses B5 and A9, and ECHO viruses E6 and E9. The results obtained indicate that these viruses are world-wide in distribution and that infection (though not necessarily disease) occurs at an early age. Variations in antibody patterns occur, most notably with Coxsackie B5 virus. Environmental conditions apparently influence the spread of virus, but other factors, as yet unknown, may also play an important role in the dissemination of an organism. It is suggested that surveys such as these might be useful to indicate populations in need of particular vaccines.