Comparison of clinical features in hand, foot and mouth disease caused by coxsackievirus A6 and enterovirus 71

Objective To compare the clinical features of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by coxsackievirus A6 (CA6) and enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection, and to provide guidance for clinical diagnosis and prevention. Methods We collected the clinical diagnosed cases of HFMD a perspective study from 2013 to 2014 in Xicheng District. The cases were grouped into two, CA6 and EV71 infected, according to the result of nucleic acid detection. The clinical features, epidemiological characteristics and prognosis were compared between the groups. Results There were 130 cases infected with CA 6, and 121 cases with EV71. No statistical significances were found in age and sex. Among the CA6 infected HFMD cases, 82.3% had a fever, which was significantly more than the EV 71 infected (34.7%, P<0.05%) and 85.0% of the CA6 cases had a fever over 38°C. Large vesicles (7.4%), desquamation (16.9%) and onychomadesis (10.0%) were found in the CA6 infected cases, and was significantly than in the EV71 group (P<0.05). The main epidemic strain shifted during 2013 and 2014. Conclusions Among CA6 infected cases high fever, large vesicles, desquamation and onychomadesis were more frequent than the EV71 infected ones. All the patients had a fine prognosis. Key words: Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD); Coxsachievirus A6; Enterovirus 71; Large vesicles; Onychomadesis.