Enteroviruses other than poliovirus.

The role of enteroviruses in certain specific disease--cardiac disease, nephritis, diabetes, and hemorrhagic conjunctivitis--is examined. It has now been well documented that Coxsackievirus B (types CB1 through CB5 but not CB6) is the main pathogen involved in various clinical forms of viral heart disease. Coxsackievirus A (CA4 and CA16) and echovirus (types 9 and 22) may also be associated with viral heart disease. In regard to the etiologic role of enteroviruses in nephritis, pancreatitis, and diabetes, again CBV, especially CB3 and CB4, has been suspected, but the data are controversial and further studies are needed. Hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, a newly observed clinical entity, is caused by enterovirus 70. It has spread to four continents (not including the Americas) in a pandemic fashion since 1969 and is now one of the common eye infections in these areas. The virus has some neurovirulence, and motor paralysis is known to occur as a complication; hence it should be carefully watched in the future.