In 1965 routine virus studies in the Blackburn group of hospitals showed that not only polio virus, both wild and vaccine strains, were isolated but also the following enteroviruses: Coxsackie types A5, A9, B3, B4, and B5. E.C.H.O. types 3, 6, 7, 8, 15, and 22. Most of these cases occurred during July, August, and September. Infants infected with rubella in utero harbour the virus after they are born, and it can be isolated and even infect other susceptible individuals. We felt it worth while, therefore, to see if we could culture any enteroviruses from foetuses, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths where the first trimester of pregnancy coincided in whole or in part with the enterovirus outbreak. This was done in 23 cases and selection was random. In one case faeces only of a child who survived with an abnormality were examined. Investigation was not confined to infants who were congenitally abnormal. Brain, lungs, faeces, and placenta were examined by conventional methods, being inoculated into monkey-kidney, humanamnion, and Hela-cell cultures. The foetal tissues and placentas were examined for histological changes. All results were negative except for one case. This was a full-term stillborn infant who had shown foetal distress. E.C.H.O. virus type 3 was isolated but the histology was negative. The mother's blood was examined in November 1966 and no E.C.H.O. antibodies were demonstrated. The significance of this isolation is therefore in doubt.-We are, etc.
