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PCR plus phylogenetics pin down group A coxsackievirus infections

A study from Japan has confirmed the potential of PCR and phylogenetic analysis to enable identification of group A coxsackieviruses and diagnosis of illnesses they cause in children. Throat swabs cultured from 246 children with acute summertime febrile illness yielded 33 enteroviruses—coxsackievirus A16 from a case of herpangina, 32 enteroviruses from children with pharyngitis/tonsillitis—but none from children with febrile seizures.

Nested PCR (PCR-FMU) of culture negative samples showed enteroviral DNA in 17/22 cases of herpangina, 11/21 febrile seizures, and 26/135 pharyngitis/tonsillitis. Further testing of the positive samples with other sequences and phylogenetic analysis showed that those positive for group A coxsackieviruses featured in 14/17 cases of herpangina, 8/11 febrile seizures, and 16/26 pharyngitis/tonsillitis. Two clusters within group A corresponded to year of isolation.

The children came from Fukushima Prefecture with summer fevers in June-August 1997 and 1998. Twenty four had herpangina, 21 febrile seizures, and 210 pharyngitis/tonsillitis. Throat swabs were . . . [Full text of this article]