Coxsackie group B virus infection and acute diarrhoea occurring among children in Costa Rica

Abstract

Virological investigation of acute diarrhoeas (24 hours or less between onset and time of specimen) and diarrhoeas of a more prolonged duration occurring among infants and children of Costa Rica have been carried out. Of the subjects studied, 75% were found to have been excreting virus. Coxsackie B virus types were isolated at a rate of 47% from acute diarrhoea specimens, with types 4 and 5 predominating. Non-Coxsackie B virus types were isolated at a rate of 25% from similar specimen material. When specimens from diarrhoeas of 48 and 72-96 hours' duration were examined, the Coxsackie B virus isolation rates declined to 3 and 14% respectively. In contrast, an increase in the non-Coxsackie B virus types was observed, ranging from 41 to 48% in the diarrhoeas lasting 48 and 72-96 hours. The implications of these findings in relation to the possible viral aetiology of endemic diarrhoea in Costa Rica and elsewhere are discussed.