[Etiological connection between juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and the chronic form of coxsackie virus infection].

Coxsackie group enteroviruses, mainly Coxsackie A13 virus, were detected in involved joints of 76% children with rheumatoid arthritis, adenoviruses (mainly adenovirus 5) in 68%, and rubella virus in 52%. Mixed virus infection was diagnosed in 80% patients. At least one of the above viruses was detected in 23 out of 25 examinees (92%). The authors discuss the contribution of different viruses to the etiology of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and consider that chronic Coxsackie virus infection is the most probable primary etiological factor of this disease.