Widespread circulation of echovirus type 13 demonstrated by increased seroprevalence in Toyama, Japan, between 2000 and 2003

To confirm the magnitude of an echovirus type 13 (E13) outbreak in 2002 and to evaluate whether genetic and antigenic changes in E13 influenced the occurrence of the outbreak, we measured titers of neutralizing (NT) antibody against the Toyama, 2002-240-SF, and prototype Del Carmen E13 strains among inhabitants of Toyama before and after 2002. The rate of positivity for NT antibodies against both 2002-240-SF and Del Carmen in 2003 made a remarkable upturn in children 0 to 14 years old, compared to that in 2000. Titers of NT antibody against strain 2002-240-SF of inhabitants were slightly higher than those against Del Carmen, whereas anti-E13 rabbit serum raised against either strain Del Carmen or 2002-240-SF showed almost the same titer of NT antibody against both strains. These data indicate that the antigenic properties of the strains may be slightly different. Differences in amino acids between strains 2002-240-SF and Del Carmen in the VP4, VP2, VP3, and VP1 regions may affect both antigenic and receptor binding properties, even though they do not seem to be significant enough to escape widespread immunity. One of the factors of the outbreak was thought to be the increase in susceptibility in the young generation.