Observations on the Neutralizing Antibody Response to Group B Coxsackie Viruses in Patients with Central Nervous System Disease

Abstract

Sera from 540 patients with central nervous system disease were examined by a colorimetric technique for neutralizing antibodies to group B, types 1–5, Coxsackie viruses. Diagnostically significant increases in homologous antibody titer were demonstrated in 50% of the 238 patients from whom a group B Coxsackie virus was isolated. The neutralization test permitted a laboratory diagnosis of 33 cases of group B Coxsackie virus infections from which it was impossible to isolate a viral agent. Increases in the level of heterotypic antibody were seen in only 10% of this group of 271 patients. Although high titers of neutralizing antibody to group B Coxsackie viruses were frequently seen in individuals with laboratory evidence of infection with other viral agents, 4-fold or greater rises in antibody to group B viruses were encountered in only 3 of 101 such patients.