Effects of a “New” Human Respiratory Virus in Volunteers

Abstract

A virus, 229-E, which morphologically resembles avian infectious bronchitis virus has been passed serially four times in man. Colds were produced in 13 out of 26 inoculated volunteers. There was a significant association between the presence of virus in the nose and the development of colds. Seven of the 13 volunteers who developed colds showed rising titres of antibody against this virus. The colds showed significantly longer incubation periods than did colds due to rhinoviruses, but no longer than those of colds caused by the related virus B814. The colds were also shorter and were associated with more nasal discharge than rhinovirus colds, but many of the differences are not statistically significant. Of 215 sera collected from children and adults in Britain in the past 10 years 29% contained neutralizing antibody. It is concluded that the virus can cause colds and probably circulates to a significant extent in this country. © 1967, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.