Echovirus Type 16 Infection (Boston Exanthem) Clinical Review of 103 Cases in Kasahara

Abstract

One hundred and three cases of peculiar eruptive disease initiated by pyrexia were encountered during 2 months from the beginning of June, 1984.It showed marked epidemicity and intrafamilial contagiosity.It occured almost in children below 9 years of age, however its infection extended even to their parents.Echovirus type 16 was identified in 90% of patients from whom the sample could be collected, and the disease was thus diagnosed as Boston exanthem.
Peculiar eruptions developed a few days after elevation of the body temperature and usually disappeared about a week after the onset.The symptoms were relatively mild and there were no remarkable complication.Differentiation from similar eruptive diseases seemed to be relatively easy.
Isolation of echovirus 16 has been reported to be very rare.Explication of the causes for the observed high prevalence is awaited.