Coxsackievirus infections

Introduction. 

Coxsackieviruses were named after Coxsackie, NY. The viruses are enteroviruses. Coxsackievirus A infection is associated with herpangina and hand-foot-and-mouth disease (A16). Coxsackievirus B is associated with Pleurodynia (Bornholm disease) and myocardial/pericardial infections. Myocardial infection is life-threatening in neonates. A range of receptors used by these viruses allow them to target many cell types.

Summary

• Cause: Coxsackievirus A or B
• Microscopy: naked icosahedral ss RNA virus
• Symptoms:  severe thoracic pain (pleurodynia); ulcerating lesions on soft/hard palate (Herpangina); vescicular lesions on hands, feet, mouth, tongue (HFM disease)
• Transmission: fecal-oral
• Complications: aseptic meningitis, acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (A24), Type 1 diabetes (B)
• Pathogenesis: virus is cytolytic in epithelial tissues
• Treatment: Pleconaril

References/Links

1. http://keiji-hagiwara.blogspot.com/2009/03/herpangina.html
2. http://www.intelligentdental.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/HFMD-1.jpg