Definition of Echovirus

Echovirus: A group of viruses found in the gastrointestinal tract. The "echo" part of the name stands for enteric cytopathic human orphan viruses. "Orphan" implied that they were viruses not associated with any disease. However, it is now known that echoviruses can cause a number of different diseases including rashes, diarrhea, respiratory infections (the common cold, sore throat, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis), myositis (muscle inflammation), meningitis, encephalitis, and pericarditis (inflammation of the membrane around the heart).