Molecular characterization of Coxsackievirus A16 strains isolated from children with severe hand, foot, and mouth disease in Yunnan, Southwest China, during 2009-2015

摘要

Coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) commonly causes mild symptoms, but severe diseases, such as aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, and even fatal cases, have been reported. Thirteen CV-A16 strains were isolated from patients with severe hand, foot, and mouth disease in Yunnan, Southwest China, from 2009 to 2015. Subgenotype B1a and B1b of CV-A16 were predominantly circulating the region with B1b the predominant strain in recent years. The mean rate of nucleotide substitution based on the VP1 gene sequence was 4.545 x 10(-3) substitution per site per year from 2009 to 2015. These results may help in understanding the genetic diversity of CV-A16 and develop a CV-A16 vaccine.