Hemagglutinins Associated with Certain Human Enteric Viruses. ∗

Summary

1) Monkey kidney cell culture fluids containing ECHO viruses 3, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12 and Coxsackie B₃ have been shown to be capable of agglutinating human Group O erythrocytes in relatively high dilutions. Evidence has been presented indicating that the hemagglutinating activity is specifically related to these agents, rather than to possible simian viral contaminants. 2) Preliminary findings suggest that the HA property resides in the viral particle, that it is absorbed by erythrocytes during the process of agglutination and may be eluted from them, exhausting red cell receptors during the process. Despite such similarities to the myxoviruses, additional data suggest that these agents do not belong to the myxovirus group. 3) Monkey kidney cell preparations of polioviruses 1, 2, and 3, ECHO viruses 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 13 and 14 and Coxsackie A₉ failed to agglutinate human Group O cells, whereas preparations of ECHO 4 and Coxsackie B₁, B₂, B₄ and B₅ manifested HA activity in low dilution.