Molecular epidemiology of coxsackievirus A6 circulating in Hong Kong reveals common neurological manifestations and emergence of novel recombinant groups.

Background: Coxsackievirus A6 (CV-A6) represents the predominant enterovirus serotype in Hong Kong, but its epidemiology in our population was unknown.

Objectives: To examine the clinical and molecular epidemiology of CV-A6 and detect emerging recombinant strains in Hong Kong.

Study Design: Nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) from patients with febrile or respiratory illness were subject to RT-PCR for CV-A6 and sequencing of 5'-NCR and VP1.