Predominant enteroviral serotypes causing meningitis.

All enteroviral reports to the Public Health Laboratory Service from 1975 to 1994 which had been proved by culture were analysed. Of the 40,366 isolates, 5741 reports (14%) were from cultures of cerebrospinal fluid. The groups and serotypes accounting for the largest number of cerebrospinal fluid isolates were A9, E7, E9, E11, E19, and E30, accounting for 70% of all cultured isolates of cerebrospinal fluid. It may be possible to prevent most cases of viral meningitis in the UK with the development of an enteroviral vaccine.