Isolation of enterovirus 71 from hand, foot and mouth disease cases, May 2000 - Kitakyushu City
(IASR 2000; 21: 167-168)

From early May to July 16, 2000, enterovirus (EV) 71 is isolated from 6 throat swabs of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and herpangina patients in Kitakyusyu city.

In order to isolate EV71, HEp-2, RD, and Vero cells are employed. Cytopathic effect (CPE) is observed on Vero cell only. EV71 antisera provided by NIID are used for identification. Only one EV71 is isolated from a herpangina patient in the middle of May. Other isolates are all from HFMD patients. No virus other than EV71 is isolated from specimens of 24 HFMD patients.

In Fukuoka Prefecture, where Kitakyusyu City lies, HFMD reporting has been remarkably increased since May. Unlike the last epidemic in winter 1999/2000, aseptic meningitis is often associated with HFMD. Of those 24 HFMD patients, 12 developed meningitis. Only cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimen is referred to the Institute in the 12 meningitis cases, but virus is not successfully isolated yet.

Reported by: Yasuyuki Yamamoto, Takashi Kimura, and Masaki Takahashi, Kitakyusyu City Institute of Environmental Sciences.

Correspondence;
E-mail: k2612030@city.kitakyushu.jp
Fax: +81-93-871-2535

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