n. one of a group of about 30 RNA-containing viruses, originally isolated from the human intestinal tract, that were found to produce pathological changes in cells grown in culture, although they were not clearly associated with any specific disease. These viruses – which were accordingly termed enteric cytopathic human orphan viruses – are now more commonly known as *Coxsackie viruses. Compare reovirus.
Echoviruses, of which there are more than 30 known types, occur in all parts of the world. Their full name is Enteric Cytopathogenic Human Orphan (ECHO – hence the acronym). They are more common in children than in adults, and have been responsible for outbreaks of MENINGITIS, common-cold-like illnesses, gastrointestinal infections, and infections of the respiratory tract. They are particularly dangerous when they infect premature infants, and there have been several outbreaks of such infection in neonatal units, in which premature infants and other seriously ill small babies are nursed. The virus is introduced to such units by mothers, sta? and visitors who are unaware that they are carriers of the virus.... echoviruses
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