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Summary
Virological investigations identified Coxsackie A viruses in 36% of herpangina cases during a 1982 urban outbreak. Coxsackie A5 was the predominant strain identified, highlighting its role in the disease transmission.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Herpangina is a common childhood illness often caused by enteroviruses.
- Understanding the specific viral agents responsible for outbreaks is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the causative viral agents in a series of herpangina cases.
- To determine the prevalence of specific enterovirus serotypes during a summer outbreak.
Main Methods:
- Virological investigations were conducted on 25 patients diagnosed with herpangina.
- Virus isolation and strain identification were performed on clinical samples.
Main Results:
- Coxsackie A virus strains were isolated from 9 out of 25 (36.0%) patients.
- Twelve Coxsackie A virus strains were identified, including Coxsackie A5 (10 strains), Coxsackie A4 (1 strain), and Coxsackie A6 (1 strain).
- Coxsackie A5 was the most frequently identified serotype.
Conclusions:
- Coxsackie A viruses, particularly Coxsackie A5, were the primary etiological agents in this 1982 urban herpangina outbreak.
- These findings underscore the importance of enterovirus surveillance in managing herpangina outbreaks.