Coxsackie B virus infection and myopericarditis in Thailand, 1987-1989

Abstract

Serum specimens of 363 myopericarditis patients from the hospital all over the country were examined for coxsackie B virus antibody during 1987-1989 by means of microneutralization test in order to assess association between myopericarditis and coxsackie B virus infection. The data established that certain virus infection rates were 24.3%, 19.4% and 23.6% respectively, no differences in incidence were found between sex (p > 0.05) and the incidence rate between age groups below 15 years and 15 years and older was significantly different (p < 0.05). It was found that the epidemic happened throughout the year and the most common serotype in 1987 and 1989 was B4 whereas in 1988 it was B3.