[Changes in antibody titers against an enterovirus (ECHO 22) in North Bavaria in relation to mortality from heart disease 1977 to 1981].

In Upper and Middle Franconia, two districts of northern Bavaria, with a population of 2.5 Millions, an increase of deaths caused by heart diseases according to code number 420-429 of the "International Classification of Diseases" has been ascertained by evaluation of data from the Bavarian State Office for Statistics and Data Processing. Figures rose from about 2000 cases in 1977 to more than 3000 in 1979. Sera from patients from these neighbouring regions (about 600 per year) have been examined for neutralizing antibodies against Coxsackie-B- and ECHO-viruses. An increase of positive results in ECHO 22 has been established. There were 4% with titer 20 or higher in 1977 and 30% in 1979. Figures of death rates as well as virus antibody titers have been followed until 1981 and remained almost unchanged. Though these two independently raised observations do not prove causal relations between ECHO-22-virus and death due to heart diseases, they may justify further considerations with regard to prospective studies in this field.