Possible role of Coxsackie-B virus infection in pancreatitis.

Coxsackie-B antibodies were examined in a study of 118 patients with acute and relapsing chronic pancreatitis. The rise in antibody titers was significant in 40 cases. Fourteen had acute, five relapsing acute, and 21 chronic pancreatitis. Among patients with acute pancreatitis, we detected infectious hepatitis in six cases. Two patients with persisting acute pancreatitis received levamisole as an immune adjuvant, which promoted their recovery. It seems that Coxsackie-B virus can cause acute pancreatitis, and it can also worsen chronic pancreatitis.