Etiology of hand, foot and mouth disease in Yichang, Hubei, 2008-2011

Objective investigate the etiological characteristics of hand, foot and mouth disease (H FMD) in Yichang and provide evidence for the prevention and control of HFMD. Methods Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was conducted to detect the clinical samples collected from reported cases of HFMD in Yichang during 2008-2011. Results The clinical samples were collected from 473 patients (the male and female ratio of the patients: 1.26: 1). The incidence peak of HFMD was in late spring and early summer. The positive detection rate of herpes liquid was higher than those of throat swabs (2=8.026, P0.01) and mouth washing water (2=12.67, P0.01). Totally 298 strains of enteric virus were detected (73%), including 191 EV71 strains, 78 strains of Cox A16 and 29 strains of other enteric viruses. The detection rate of EV71 was higher than those of Cox A16 (2=86.517,P0.01) and other enteric viruses (2=189.089, P0.01). Conclusion The predominant pathogen of HFMD was EV71 (64.1%), followed by Cox A16 (26.2%) in Yichang during 2008-2011.