coxsackie virus

Coxsackie virus
Coxsackie viruses belong to the family Picornaviridae and the genus Enterovirus, which also includes poliovirus and echovirus. Enteroviruses are among the most common and important human pathogens. Coxsackie viruses share many characteristics with poliovirus. With control of poliovirus infections in much of the world, more attention has been focused on understanding the nonpolio enteroviruses such as coxsackie virus.
Coxsackie viruses are nonenveloped viruses with linear single-stranded RNA. Coxsackie viruses are divided into group A and group B viruses based on early observations of their pathogenicity in mice. Group A coxsackie viruses were noted to cause a flaccid paralysis, which was caused by generalized myositis, while group B coxsackie viruses were noted to cause a spastic paralysis due to focal muscle injury and degeneration of neuronal tissue. At least 23 serotypes (1-22, 24) of group A and 6 serotypes (1-6) of group B are recognized.
Pathogenesis :the pathogenesis and replication cycle of coxsackie virus shared some features with other enteroviruses.




Clinical features: The incubation period of coxsackie virus infection ranges from 2 to 9 days. The clinical manifestations of infection with various coxsackie viruses are diverse and may present as distinct disease entities.
Group A coxsackie viruses tend to infect the skin and mucous membranes causing:-
Herpangina:- painful vesicular rash involving pharynx and soft palate associated with an abrupt onset of fever, sore throat, anorexia, dysphagia, vomiting, or abdominal pain. The pharynx is usually hyperaemic, The illness is self-limited and most frequent in small children.