Epidemic pleurodynia (Bornholm disease) outbreak in Singapore. A clinical and virological study.

ABSTRACT

In 1974, an outbreak of Bornholm disease occurred in Singapore. The period 1st May to 31st July was delineated for study. From the clinical presentation 53 patients were placed into two categories "typical Bornholm disease" and "atypical Bornholm disease". The clinical features of only those in the "typical Bornholm disease" group including those with positive Coxsackie B3 virus isolation were described. The virological studies, both faecal isolation for virus and serology were correlated with clinical diagnosis. Fever and characteristic abdominal or chest pain appear to be constant features of Bornholm disease. Positive faecal virus isolation are significantly high in the "typical Bornholm disease" group. Bornholm disease could be diagnosed clinically with fair accuracy. The importance of diagnosing Bornholm disease is emphasized.