Coxsackievirus B5 infections in acute oliguric renal failure

Six patients with acute oliguric renal failure were studied for detection of acute viral or mycoplasma infection. Precipitating causes, such as streptococcal infection, use of nephrotoxic drugs, etc., were ruled out. Tests for neurtralization and complement fixation antibodies, in which 19 viral and mycoplasma agents were used as antigens, demonstrated a recent coxsachievirus B5 infection in five of six patients. Rises in titer to other antigens tested were not noted. A group of control patients showed no significant rises in titer of antibody to coxsackievirus B5. These studies strongly suggest that an association exists between coxsackievirus B5 infections and acute oliguric renal failure. Whether this association is etiologic is not known.