Genetic diversity of Coxsackievirus A21 associated with sporadic cases of acute respiratory infections in Malaysia.

Background: Coxsackievirus A21 (CVA21), a member of Enterovirus C from the Picornaviridae family, has been associated with respiratory illnesses in humans.

Methods: A molecular epidemiological investigation of CVA21 was conducted among patients presenting with acute upper respiratory illnesses in the ambulatory settings between 2012 and 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Results: Epidemiological surveillance of acute respiratory infections (n = 3935) showed low-level detection of CVA21 (0.