Seven cases of Coxsackie B5 virus infection with exanthem observed at the Boston City Hospital during the late summer of 1961, are reported. The virus was isolated from six of the patients and a fourfold or greater rise in titer of hemagglutinin-inhibiting antibodies (HIA) to this virus was demonstrated in five of these six cases. In the seventh patient there was a significant rise in HIA titer, but attempts to isolate the virus were unsuccessful. The illness in these patients was characterized by a moderate fever, usually of 2 to 3 days duration with the fine, erythematous maculopapular eruption involving mostly the face and trunk, appearing toward the end of the febrile period, and somewhat resembling exanthem subitum. There was also some cervical and occipital lymph node enlargement. In 49 pairs of bloods obtained from mothers and infants (umbilical cord) at the time of delivery, the titers of HIA to Coxsackie B5 virus in the maternal sera were usually fourfold to eightfold greater than in the sera of corresponding umbilical cord blood. HIA titers of 1:80 or higher against Coxsackie B5 virus were demonstrated in 65% of these maternal sera, but only in 2 of 75 sera (2.7%) obtained from infants and children who did not have a rash during the summer of 1961.
Sixth Disease (Roseola Infantum, Exanthem Subitum)
