Disease Carriers

Viruses: Enteroviruses

Enteroviruses are amongst the most commonly found and most important viral pathogens of humans. While many enterovirus infections result in only mild illness, members of this group of virus can cause many different diseases affecting a variety of target organs: neurologic (polio, aseptic meningitis, encephalitis), respiratory (common cold, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis) cardiovascular (myocarditis, pericarditis), to name a few.

Enteroviruses are found worldwide, and humans are their only known natural host. Spread of the virus is primarily via the oral-fecal route, and perhaps with some respiratory involvement. There is no specific treatment for enterovirus infections. In young infants, enteroviral meningitis is often confused with infections caused by bacteria and herpesvirus, resulting in thousands of children being hospitalized and incorrectly treated with antibiotics and anti-herpes drugs.

In addition to the known and documented enteroviral infections, these viruses have also been implicated in (but definitive proof is lacking) several chronic diseases, some of which are: juvenile onset of diabetes mellitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease).

Negatively stained preparation of a typical Enterovorus, coxsackie B, and seen by transmission electron microscopy.

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