Enterovirus 71 infection: report of an outbreak with two cases of paralysis and a review of the literature

Abstract

Enterovirus 71 (E-71) infection was first reported in 19745 in the United States; subsequent outbreaks were reported in worldwide distribution. In the summer of 1977, we identified 12 patients, mostly children, with E-71 infection. The striking feature of this outbreak is the occurrence of two cases with polio-like paralytic disease. Other diseases associated with E-71 included aseptic meningitis, meningoencephalitis, respiratory disease, gastroenteritis, and hand-foot-mouth disease. The spectrum of illness observed in our community was compared to that seen in other outbreaks. It is suggested that the significance of E-71 lies in its neuropathogenic potential.