Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Coxsackie virus A6 and Coxsackie virus A10 infections in pediatric hand, foot, and mouth Disease

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical College, University of Anbar, Iraq

2 Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical College, University Of Anbar, Iraq

3 Department Paediatric medicine, College of Medicine, University Of Anbar. Iraq

Abstract

Objective: The study aims to determine the most common strain (CV-A6 or CV-A10) causing Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in Iraq. It also aims to highlight the epidemiology and clinical symptoms of these infections, search for predictive indicators of disease severity, and measure the viral load of the dominant strain, comparing it with laboratory tests according to the disease severity. Patients and methods: This study examined 100 pediatric HFMD patients under 15 years old in Anbar governorate. Blood samples were taken for hematological and serological analysis, and throat swabs were collected to detect CV-A6 and CV-A10 strains using a qPCR device. The viral load of the dominant strain was then measured. Results: The CV-A6 was the dominant strain at 84%, while CV-A10 was the least common at 16%, with a P value of 0.001. The rate of HFMD was highest among males ≤2 years of age and residing in rural areas. Most cases were mild, with few severe instances recorded. No statistical significance association between rash location and disease severity. Symptoms were similar for both strains. Higher levels of IgM, IFN-γ, IL-6, platelets, and RBC count were observed in severe HFMD cases caused by CV-A6 compared to mild cases, but their statistical significance is unclear. Severe cases of CV-A6 had a higher viral load. Conclusion: CV-A6 is the main cause of HFMD. Children ≤2 years are more susceptible to HFMD. Rash sites, common symptoms, and routine laboratory tests are not reliable predictors of HFMD severity, while a viral load of CV-A6 could serve as a marker for this.

Keywords

Microbes and Infectious Diseases

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 03 August 2024

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