Outbreak of vertigo in Wyoming: possible role of an enterovirus infection.
An epidemiologic investigation was conducted to characterize and evaluate the possibility of a viral aetiology of an outbreak of acute vertigo in Hot Springs Country, Wyoming, during autumn 1992. Case-finding identified Hot Springs County residents who sought medical attention for new onset vertigo during 1 August, 1992-31 January 1993. Thirty-five case-patients and 61 matched controls were interviewed and serum specimens were obtained during January 1993. Case-patients were more likely than controls to report symptoms (e.g. fatigue, sore throat, fever, diarrhoea) of antecedent acute illness. Case-patients did not have a significantly greater prevalence or mean titre of IgG antibodies to respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza viruses, Epstein-Barr virus, and cytomegalovirus than controls. Serologic evidence of recent enterovirus infection (IgM antibodies) was found for 74% of case-patients compared with 54% of controls (P < 0.05), suggesting a possible association between vertigo and enterovirus infection. Future studies are needed to define the role of enteroviruses in innerear diseases.
Simonsen
L
L
Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Khan
A S
AS
Gary
H E
HE
Hanson
C
C
Pallansch
M A
MA
Music
S
S
Holman
R C
RC
Stewart
J A
JA
Erdman
D D
DD
Arden
N H
NH
Arenberg
I K
IK
Schonberger
L B
LB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004770:Enterovirus / Q000276:immunology; D004769:Enterovirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014717:Vertigo / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D014959:Wyoming / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007075:Immunoglobulin M