Epidemiological observation of coxsackieviruses group B in sewage.

Different types of coxsackieviruses group B were isolated from the sewage consecutively annually from January 1982 to March 1987: type 3 in 1982, type 4 in 1983, type 2, 4 and 5 in 1984, type 3 in 1985, and type 4 in 1986 were found. These viruses caused large epidemics among children aged 1 to 4 and proximities. Herald waves for the epidemics were observed six times during this period, and the viruses were detected in a brief period of isolation. With respect to the periodicity of these viruses, the cycles for types 3 and 4 were 2 to 3 years, and longer cycles seemed to be exhibited by types 1, 2, and 5. The onset and termination of the epidemics will only be grasped by surveys throughout the year. HEp-2 cells exhibited the best sensitivity to the viruses.