Demonstration of Encephalomyocarditis Virus Antibody in Human Serums From Panama

Abstract
Summary Encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus neutralizing antibody was found in 36 (20%) of 180 human sera collected in 4 geographically separated, rural areas of the Republic of Panama. Hemagglutination inhibition antibody was present in over half (58%) of the sera positive in the neutralization test. Sera from more than 15% of the population sampled in each of the 4 areas contained neutralizing antibody. Children had a significantly higher incidence than adults, a difference which is unexplained.