A newly recognized enterovirus, called Giles, must now be added to the list of etiological agents known to cause aseptic meningitis and paralytic disease. Clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological research leading to the discovery were effected by a state health department team, whose findings are reported by Kleinman et al elsewhere in this issue of The Journal (p 90).
As a cause of aseptic meningitis, Giles virus was implicated more frequently than polioviruses or the Coxsackie and ECHO group. Steigman1 has emphasized that most of these viruses inhabit the gastrointestinal tract and some possess poliomyelitic properties. Thus, it is not surprising that the Giles virus accounted for 8% of the cases with paralysis in Minnesota. With poliovirus infections continuing to decline, the question remains as to what extent the newer viruses will be involved in the changing paralytic pattern.
The pattern of virus classification itself is changing. The small ether-insensitive