Seroepidemiological survey of the prevalence of antibodies to a strain of human calicivirus.

Batches of pooled immune globulins and sera were tested by immune electron microscopy (IEM) for the presence of antibodies to a strain of human calicivirus (HCV, UK1). The results show that this strain of HCV is prevalent throughout many parts of the world and that the majority of the population experience infection by the age of 12 years. The survey carried out in the United Kingdom indicates that the presence of maternal antibody correlates with some degree of protection during the first few weeks of life; the peak incidence of cases and acquisition of antibody occur between 3 months and 6 years. Tests on sera from Japan show a similar pattern of acquisition of antibodies and demonstrate that infection with more than one strain of HCV commonly occurs during childhood.