Recall of Complement Fixing Antibodies to Enteroviruses in Guinea Pigs

The recall of complement-fixing antibodies was studied in guinea pigs previously immunized with one or several representative agents belonging to the poliomyelitis, Coxsackie A and B, and Echo groups. Although the studies were limited in scope, it became evident that poliomyelitis and Coxsackie B viruses readily recalled antibodies to the other members of the respective groups. Recalls were induced, although less frequently, by agents belonging to heterologous enterovirus groups but not by mumps virus. Antibodies were recalled often in the absence of detectable responses to the injected virus. A single dose of a given virus led to homologous antibody responses at an increased frequency if the animals had previous experience with another member of the same group of viruses. Broadening of the antibody spectra to include reactions with viruses not previously injected were observed only within the poliomyelitis group but the data are insufficient to exclude its occurrence among or between other groups of enteroviruses. Neutralization tests carried out with a few selected sera revealed that recalls of complementfixing antibodies were not accompanied by rises in neutralizing activity. The results presented appear to parallel the experience gained in the serodiagnosis of enterovirus infections of man.