The enteroviruses: recent advances

Abstract

New information accrues periodically in the ledger accounting for infections and diseases associated with the human enteroviruses. The discoveries of "new" serotypes and how they affect people are subjects of continuing attention. Some other relevant information on "old" serotypes relates to variations in age-specific attack rates and associated morbidity and mortality for neonates and older infants. Among the morbidity reports are recounts during outbreaks of virus-positive cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) that initially may not have cytological or biochemical abnormalities. Prolonged enterovirus infections may develop in persons having agammaglobulinemia. Lastly, some provocative associations concern the pathologic expressions of enteroviruses in the development and persistence of injury to the heart (myocardiopathies) and the pancreas (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus).