ADENOVIRUS TYPE 7; 1971-74

The spread of adenovirus type 7 in England and Wales between 1971 and 1974 and the clinical features of infections with this virus were investigated in a retrospective study of virological reports and patients' clinical records. An epidemic in 1972-74 apparently started in the North-East and spread to the South-West. Between March 1973 and the end of October 1974 the virus was recovered in 59 of 74 specimens from 42 patients. The mean age of the patients was 9 years, which suggests that a large pool of young susceptibles was important in the dissemination of the epidemic. Sore throats, cervical lymphadenopathy, conjunctivitis, and abdominal pain were common symptoms. Meningism was present in 12 patients; 2 cases had apparent neuropsychiatric sequelæ.