Coxsackie virus and urogenital pathology

In 43 women (average age 49.6 years), and 70 men (average age 55.2 years) with pathology of the genito-urinary apparatus, seroantibodies to Coxsachie virus B were measured using the passive hemoagglutination method and the virus was isolated in the uterine. Viral isolation test was negative in all urine samples tested. Seropositivity for Coxsackie virus was reported in 26 women (60.46%) and in 51 men (72.85%). Positivity to B1 was 37.16% (42 cases), B2 in 38.05% (43 cases), and to B4 in 35.39% (40 cases). 17.69% (20 cases) of patients were seropositive to only one serotype, 17.69% (20 cases) to 5 serotypes, 14.15% (16 cases) to 3 serotypes, 9.73% (11 cases) to 2 serotypes, and 8.84% (10 cases) to 4 serotypes. B1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (25.97%; 20 cases) and B2, 3, 4, 5 (7.79%; 6 cases) were the most frequent associations. Seropositivity to Coxsackie virus was reported in 100% of patients (4 cases) with urethral caruncola, in 84.21% (16 cases out of 19) with cancer of the bladder, in 81.81% with cystitis (9 cases out of 11) and in 80% with prostatitis (8 out of 10 cases). In relation to sex, seropositivity was higher in males in cases of calculosis (75%; 9 cases out of 12 against 28.57%; 2 cases out of 7) and in cystitis (100%; 6 cases against 60%; 3 cases out of 5). Further studies are necessary to determine the clinical significance of serum Coxsackie virus antibodies in patients with urological pathology in the absence of urinary elimination of Coxsackie virus.