Serological studies with reovirus-like enteritis agent

Abstract

The age distribution of antibody to the human reovirus-like enteritis agent, and to the antigenically related Nebraska calf diarrhea virus (NCDV) was studied in serum specimens obtained from 592 children hospitalized in Boston [Massachusetts, USA]. Sera were examined for complement-fixation (CF) antibody to the human agent, and for CF and indirect immunofluorescence-staining antibodies to NCDV. The curve of antibody frequency was similar in each of the 3 assays, showing a steep rise in the 6-18 mo. old age groups, indicating the early acquisition of antibody to the reovirus-like enteritis agent. The majority of children and young adults possessed CF- and immunofluorescence-stainable antibodies. There was a significant association between antibody prevalence data obtained with the human CF antigen and with the 2 NCDV antigens; this association was closest between the human and NCDV CF antigens.