Seroepidemiology of human enterovirus71 and coxsackievirusA16 among children in Guangdong province, China

Background: Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common pediatric illness. Mainly induced by the Enterovirus 71 and Coxsackievirus A 16 infections, the frequently occurred HFMD outbreaks have become a serious public health problem in Southeast Asia. Currently, only a few studies have investigated the human immunity to HFMD in China. In this study, we conducted a cohort study in Guangdong province, China. Methods: Stored serum samples from children less than 10 years old were analyzed. The levels of EV71 and CA16 specific antibodies before, during and shortly after the 2008 large outbreak of HFMD were evaluated by the microneutralization test. The geometric mean titer (GMT) was calculated and compared. Statistical significance was taken as P < 0.05. Results: The seroprevalence data showed a continuous circulation of EV71 and CA16 in Guangdong province China in 2007-2009. The low positive rate in 2009 correlated well with the unprecedented outbreak of HFMD in 2010. Age related increase of seroprevalence was identified in 1-3 years old children for EV71 and in 1-5 years old children for CA16 in Guangdong province. High GMT of EV71 and CA16 antibody titers were also found for these age groups. Conclusions: All of the above findings indicated common infections for these age groups. And they should clearly be at the top of the priority in periodical seroprevalence survey and future vaccination campaign.