A survey of enteroviruses and adenoviruses in the faeces of normal children aged 0–4 years: A report of the Public Health Laboratory Service and the Society of Medical Officers of Health

In a survey of enterovirus and adenovirus excretion in normal children in 1961–62, 25,600 faecal specimens were examined, 25,589 of them in cell culture and 17,596 in newborn mice. Polioviruses were isolated from 156 (0·86%) specimens before Sabin vaccination was introduced in February 1962 and from 389 (5·27%) specimens after this. Coxsackie A viruses were isolated from 894 (5·08%) specimens, Coxsackie B viruses from 196 (0·77%), echoviruses from 278 (1·09%) and adenoviruses from 128 (0·50%). The isolation rates of these viruses varied with sex, age, geographical area, type of local authority area and season. The isolation rate of polioviruses before the introduction of Sabin vaccination was the same as in a previous survey carried out in 1957–58, although the rate was lower in Salk vaccinated children than in unvaccinated children. After Sabin vaccination began the isolation rate increased and Type 3 virus replaced Type 1 virus as the most prevalent virus type.