An Outbreak Caused by Coxsackievirus B5 among Newborn Infants

Abstract

Aseptic meningitis occurred in 7 newborn infants in the nursery of a maternity hospital during 2 weeks. Coxsackievirus B5 was isolated from 6 faecal samples and 5 cerebrospinal fluid samples. Every patient had high titres of neutralizing antibodies to coxsackievirus B5 in convalescence. Myocarditis was not found in any of them. All recovered in a few days without notifiable sequels. Five of the mothers lacked antibodies to coxsackievirus B5 after their infants' diseases, and thus could not have infected their babies. Hence the epidemic was a hospital infection. A nurse had suffered from coxsackievirus B5 infection at the same time. The possible sources and modes of transmission are discussed.