Distribution of echovirus antibody in serum, nasopharynx, rectum, and spinal fluid after natural infection with echovirus type 6.

By employing the techniques of radioimmunodiffusion and autoradiography and by using (32)P-labeled echovirus 6 as the antigen, the distribution of echovirus 6 antibody in serum, nasopharynx, rectum, and spinal fluid was studied in a group of children with naturally acquired echovirus type 6 infection, with or without meningeal involvement. The response in serum was characterized by sequential appearance of gammaM, gammaG, and rarely of gammaA antibody. The secretory response in the nasopharynx and rectum was limited to secretory gammaA immunoglobulin. The response in spinal fluid was limited to gammaG immunoglobulin. gammaG echovirus antibody appeared in the spinal fluid with or without demonstrable replication of virus in the spinal fluid. It is suggested that, after short-term acute infection with enteroviruses, the appearance of gammaG antibody in spinal fluid may largely be a reflection of increased transport of serum antibody, particularly of gammaG immunoglobulin class.