Isolation of echovirus 9 from meningitis and exanthema cases, April-June 2000 - Nara
(IASR 2000; 21: 169-169)

In April 2000 echovirus 9 (E9) was isolated from 4 kindergarteners (2 cases were brothers) living in the northwestern region of Nara Prefecture. E9 was collected from pharyngeal swabs (3 strains) and stool samples (2 strains).

During May to June 2000, a total of 8 strains of E9 (6 from pharyngeal swabs, 2 from stool) were isolated in several areas of Nara Prefecture. Those cases were diagnosed as aseptic meningitis (2), viral exanthema (2), and upper respiratory infection with eruption (3).

In order to inoculate E9, RD-18S, HEp-2, MA-104, Vero-463 cell lines were employed, and the virus was isolated from RD-18S and MA-104. The virus was identified by neutralization test using commercially available anti-enterovirus mixed sera, pooled anti-echovirus sera (EP-95), and anti-E9 serum.

Although E9 has not caused a large epidemic recently, the virus has been isolated every year from patients with aseptic meningitis or exanthema in Nara Prefecture. Because limited local epidemics have been observed this year, the trend should be carefully monitored.

Reported by: Osamu Adachi and Yoshiteru Kitahori, Dept. of Health and Prevention, Nara Prefectural Institute of Public Health

Correspondence: Osamu Adachi;
E-mail: O.adachi@ihe.pref.nara.jp
Fax: +81-742-27-0634

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