Key result
Coxsackievirus A16 accounts for ~57% of suspected pediatric hand, foot, and mouth disease cases.
Cross-Sectional (n=30)
No
Molecular analysis confirmed that Coxsackievirus A16 was the etiological agent responsible for the HFMD outbreaks in Vellore, highlighting the need for routine virological surveillance.
Supports regional HFMD surveillance in South India; leaves open generalizability and need for prospective studies.
CONTEXT: Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) remains a common problem in India, yet its etiology is largely unknown as diagnosis is based on clinical characteristics. There are very few laboratory-based molecular studies on HFMD outbreaks. AIM: The aim of this study was to characterize HFMD-related isolates by molecular techniques. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Between 2005 and 2008, during two documented HFMD outbreaks, 30 suspected HFMD cases presented at the Outpatient Unit of the Department of Dermatology, Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore. Seventy-eight clinical specimens (swabs from throat, mouth, rectum, anus, buttocks, tongue, forearm, sole, and foot) were received from these patients at the Department of Clinical Virology, CMC, for routine diagnosis of hand, foot, and mouth disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples from these patients were cultured in Vero and rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cell lines. Isolates producing enterovirus-like cytopathogenic effect (CPE) in cell culture were identified by a nested reverse transcription-based polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequenced. The nucleotide sequences were analyzed using the BioEdit sequence program. Homology searches were performed using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) algorithm. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The statistical analysis was performed using Epi Info version 6.04b and Microsoft Excel 2002 (Microsoft Office XP). RESULTS: Of the 30 suspected HFMD cases, only 17 (57%) were laboratory confirmed and Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) was identified as the etiological agent in all these cases. CONCLUSIONS: Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) was identified as the virus that caused the HFMD outbreaks in Vellore between 2005 and 2008. Early confirmation of HFMD helps to initiate control measures to interrupt virus transmission. In the laboratory, classical diagnostic methods, culture and serological tests are being replaced by molecular techniques. Routine surveillance systems will help understand the epidemiology of HFMD in India.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Abraham et al. (2012) conducted a cross-sectional in Hand, foot, and mouth disease (n=30). Molecular characterization (nested RT-PCR and sequencing) was evaluated on Laboratory confirmation of HFMD etiology. Coxsackievirus A16 was identified as the etiological agent in 17 of 30 (57%) suspected hand, foot, and mouth disease pediatric cases during outbreaks in Vellore, India.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: