In vitro and in vivo evaluation of ribavirin and pleconaril antiviral activity against enterovirus 71 infection.

Enterovirus 71(EV71) causes recurring outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease and encephalitis leading to complications or death in young children. More effective antiviral drugs are needed to prevent or reduce EV71-related disease and complications. However, there are no standard models currently in use to evaluate activity against EV71 infection both in vitro and in vivo.