Hand-foot-and-mouth disease caused by coxsackievirus A6 on the rise

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness, primarily affecting young children.
• Typically caused by Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) and Enterovirus 71 (EV71), HFMD presents with oral lesions and rash on palms and soles.
• Recent years have seen an increase in HFMD outbreaks globally, with Coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) emerging as a significant pathogen.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the increasing prevalence of CVA6-associated HFMD.
• To characterize the clinical presentation of CVA6 HFMD, including its impact on broader demographics.
• To highlight the unique and more severe manifestations associated with CVA6 compared to typical HFMD strains.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent HFMD outbreaks and case studies.
• Analysis of clinical data focusing on CVA6-associated cases.
• Comparison of CVA6 HFMD presentation with that of CVA16 and EV71.

Main Results:

• CVA6 is increasingly identified as a cause of HFMD outbreaks in the United States and worldwide.
• CVA6-associated HFMD affects a broader age range, including adults.
• Cases caused by CVA6 often exhibit more severe symptoms, including higher fever, longer duration, and more extensive skin manifestations than typical HFMD.

Conclusions:

• CVA6 represents a growing public health concern due to its increased prevalence and association with more severe HFMD.
• The unique clinical presentation of CVA6 HFMD warrants increased awareness among healthcare providers.
• Further research is needed to understand the evolving epidemiology and pathogenesis of CVA6.