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Coxsackieviruses

Last Updated: August 11, 2006
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Synonyms and related keywords: coxsackievirus A, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, hand-foot-mouth disease, HFM disease, vesicular stomatitis with exanthem, coxsackievirus B, Bamle disease, Bornholm disease, Daae disease, Sylvest disease, benign dry pleurisy, epidemic pleurodynia, devil's grip, devil's grippe, diaphragmatic pleurisy, epidemic benign dry pleurisy, epidemic diaphragmatic pleurisy, epidemic myalgia, epidemic myositis, myositis epidemica acuta, epidemic transient diaphragmatic spasm

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Author: Michael Rajnik, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Acting Program Director, Pediatric Infectious Disease Fellowship Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Coauthor(s): Nhat M Doan, MD, Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington Hospital Center

Michael Rajnik, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Armed Forces Infectious Disease Society, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Pediatric Infectious Disease Society

Editor(s): Maria D Mileno, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Brown University; Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine; John W King, MD, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport; Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital; and Burke A Cunha, MD, MACP, Professor of Medicine, State University of New York School of Medicine at Stony Brook; Chief, Infectious Disease Division, Winthrop-University Hospital

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Background: Coxsackieviruses 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. Coxsackieviruses 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 coxsackievirus.

Coxsackieviruses are nonenveloped viruses with linear single-stranded RNA. Coxsackieviruses are divided into group A and group B viruses based on early observations of their pathogenicity in mice. Group A coxsackieviruses were noted to cause a flaccid paralysis, which was caused by generalized myositis, in contrast to group B coxsackieviruses, which caused a spastic paralysis from focal muscle injury as well as degeneration of neuronal tissue. At least 23 serotypes (1-22, 24) of group A and 6 serotypes (1-6) of group B are recognized.

In general, group A coxsackieviruses tend to infect the skin and mucous membranes, causing herpangina, acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC), and hand-foot-and-mouth (HFM) disease. Group B coxsackieviruses tend to infect the heart, pleura, pancreas, and liver, causing pleurodynia, myocarditis, pericarditis, and hepatitis. Both group A and group B coxsackieviruses can cause nonspecific febrile illnesses, rashes, upper respiratory tract disease, and aseptic meningitis.

Pathophysiology: Coxsackieviruses are transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route and respiratory aerosols, although transmission via fomites is possible. The viruses initially replicate in the upper respiratory tract and the distal small bowel. They have been found in the respiratory tract up to 3 weeks after initial infection and in feces up to 8 weeks after initial infection. The viruses have been found to replicate in the submucosal lymph tissue and disseminate to the reticuloendothelial system. Further dissemination to target organs occurs following a secondary viremia.

Frequency:

  • In the US: Approximately 10 million symptomatic cases due to enterovirus are estimated to occur annually in the United States. From 2002-2004, an estimated 16.4-24.3% of these illnesses were attributed to coxsackievirus serotypes. For 2 of the 3 years, coxsackievirus B1 was the predominant serotype.
  • Internationally: Coxsackievirus infections have worldwide distribution. They can be isolated year-round in tropical climates, with a decreasing incidence of disease and seasonality in areas of higher latitude.

Mortality/Morbidity: Mortality due to coxsackievirus infection is uncommon. Neonates and immunocompromised individuals are at most risk for complications secondary to all enteroviral infections.

Sex: During the first decade, enteroviral infections are more common in males, with a male-to-female ratio of 2:1. The reason for this increased incidence is not well known.

Age: Coxsackievirus infection occurs in all age groups but is more common in young children and infants. Children are at higher risk of infection during the first year of life. The rate of illness decreases greatly following the first decade of life.


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History: 90% of infections by coxsackieviruses are asymptomatic or cause nonspecific febrile illnesses. In neonates, they account for the most common cause of febrile illnesses during the summer and fall months. 13% of newborns with fevers in the first month of life were noted to have an enteroviral infection. In addition to nonspecific illnesses, a variety of well described illnesses have been associated with coxsackievirus infections.

Physical:

Causes:

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Ependymoma


Other Problems to be Considered:

Aseptic meningitis

  • Noninfectious

    • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

    • Sarcoidosis

    • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use

    • Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) use

  • Infectious

    • Partially treated bacterial meningitis

    • Viruses (eg, HIV, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, adenovirus)

    • Tuberculosis

    • Leptospirosis

    • Lyme borreliosis
Encephalitis

  • Arboviruses

  • Herpes simplex virus (HSV)

  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
Myopericarditis

  • Adenovirus

  • Influenza A virus

  • Mumps virus

  • Vaccinia virus

  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)

  • Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)

  • Measles
Exanthems

  • HFM disease

    • Herpes simplex: Patients are more ill, have higher fever and cervical adenopathy, and have no lesions on extremities.

    • VZV: Patients are also more ill, rarely have oral lesions, and the palms of the hands and soles of the feet are rarely affected.

  • Herpangina

    • Other viral causes of pharyngitis and bacterial tonsillitis: These do not produce vesicular lesions.

    • Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis: Gingivitis is prominent, and systemic toxicity and cervical lymphadenitis are present; scrapings of lesions do not reveal giant cells or intranuclear inclusions.

    • HFM disease: These lesions also occur on extremities.

    • Aphthous stomatitis: Lesions tend to be larger and occur in older children and adults.
Epidemic pleurodynia

  • Pneumonia

  • Pulmonary infarct

  • Myocardial infarction

  • Early zoster infection

  • Acute abdomen
Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis

  • Adenovirus causing keratoconjunctivitis: The incubation period is 1-3 weeks, whereas the incubation period is 1 day with AHC. In addition, subconjunctival hemorrhage is usually not observed with keratoconjunctivitis.

  • Bacterial or chlamydial conjunctivitis must be considered, but these conditions usually do not cause an extensive outbreak.

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Lab Studies:

  • Definitive diagnosis can be made based on isolation of the virus in cell culture. Cytopathic effect can usually be seen within 2-6 days. Samples are normally taken from the stool or rectal swabs but may be isolated from the oropharynx early in the disease course. False-positive culture results are possible, as excretion can occur for up to 8 weeks after initial infection. Serology can be difficult to interpret. Traditionally, enteroviral infections have been noted after a rise in neutralizing antibodies titer (at least a 4-fold rise in titer between acute and convalescent phase). PCR is also available, with a sensitivity of 66-90%.
  • Aseptic meningitis: The workup needs to rule out bacterial meningitis, and appropriate antibiotics should be administered until the workup is complete. Diagnosis requires cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) evaluation, which tends to show a lymphocytic predominance, normal-to-decreased glucose levels, and normal-to-slightly elevated protein levels. The virus can be isolated via cell culture (sensitivity 30-35%) or PCR (sensitivity 66-90%).
  • Encephalitis: Diagnostic workup requires CSF evaluation, which produces findings similar to aseptic meningitis.
  • Myopericarditis: Diagnosis is generally circumstantial, with evidence of infection from the oropharynx, feces, or on serology.
  • AHC: Diagnosis requires conjunctival swabs or scrapings, which are 90% successful. A rising antibody titer can be demonstrated.

Imaging Studies:

  • A noncontrast head CT scan may be obtained upon initial presentation of patients with meningitis and/or encephalitis to rule out hemorrhage, increased intracranial pressure, or mass lesions.
  • An echocardiogram can be used to evaluate overall cardiac function and valvular disease in patients with myopericarditis and heart failure.

Other Tests:

  • Obtain a throat culture to rule out streptococcal pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis.
  • HIV testing is always appropriate in patients presenting with nonspecific febrile illness or rashes.
  • An EEG can be used to detect the presence of and localize seizure activity.
  • ECG changes in myopericarditis include ST-segment elevations or nonspecific ST segment, T wave abnormalities, arrhythmia, and heart block.

Procedures:

  • Lumbar puncture is crucial in the evaluation of meningitis and/or encephalitis.
  • Skin biopsy may be helpful in the evaluation of nonspecific exanthems.
  • Obtain a Tzank smear to rule out herpes virus infection.
Histologic Findings: Intracytoplasmic viral particles may be observed, especially with skin lesions and/or rashes of HFM.

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Medical Care: Medical care is generally supportive and can be offered on an outpatient basis. More severe symptoms may require inpatient admission for further workup and intervention.

  • Myopericarditis: IVIG has been of anecdotal benefit, but no randomized trials have been conducted. A large prospective trial of prednisone with cyclosporine or azathioprine showed no difference compared to supportive treatment alone.
  • Epidemic pleurodynia: Analgesics, narcotics, and heating pads are the mainstays of therapy. All patients recover completely within 1 week.
  • AHC: Treatment is symptomatic, and no antimicrobial agent is necessary unless bacterial superinfection is present.
  • Immunodeficient: Both IVIG and pleconaril have been used in immunocompromised patients with enteroviral infections (neonates and B-cell immunodeficient) with varying success.

Surgical Care: No surgical intervention is necessary unless patients develop complications such as meningitis and/or encephalitis with increased intracranial pressure, which requires ventriculostomy, or heart failure, which requires valve repair or cardiac transplant.

Consultations: Consultants play an important role in cases with complex presentations.

  • A neurologist may help with evaluation of patients presenting with abnormal neurologic symptoms or with the management of the rare complications associated with meningitis.
  • A neurosurgeon may be needed to assist with obtaining brain biopsies or placing a ventriculostomy tube because of increased intracranial pressure.
  • A cardiologist helps with diagnosis and management of arrhythmia, heart failure, and heart block associated with myocarditis.

Diet: Diet is as tolerated.

Activity: Bedrest is indicated for some patients.
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No FDA-approved therapy exists for the treatment of enteroviral infections. IVIG and pleconaril have been used in severe illness. Supportive use of analgesics and antipyretics are usually necessary.

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Further Inpatient Care:

Further Outpatient Care:

In/Out Patient Meds:

Transfer:

Deterrence/Prevention:

Complications:

  • Complications of aseptic meningitis include lethargy, seizures, coma, and movement disorders (5-10%).
  • Complications of myopericarditis include pericardial effusion, arrhythmia, heart block, valvular dysfunction, and dilated cardiomyopathy.
  • Rare complications of AHC include keratitis and motor paralysis.

Prognosis:

  • In general, the prognosis is very good, with 90% of patients having no symptoms or experiencing mild, self-limited, nonspecific febrile illnesses or rashes.

Patient Education:

  • Patients should be aware of the need for good hygiene practices to avoid transmission.
  • Patients need to be reassured that they have a self-limited viral illness that does not require any antibiotics for treatment.
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Medical/Legal Pitfalls:

  • Failure to diagnose bacterial meningitis may result in a poor outcome. All patients who have symptoms or CSF profiles suggestive of bacterial meningitis (WBC count >1000 cells, neutrophil predominance, hypoglycorrhachia, elevated protein levels) should be managed with antibiotics until cultures are negative for bacteria. Patients with severe courses and encephalitis should be evaluated for alternative causes of encephalitis (herpes simplex virus, arboviruses) that may be treatable.
  • Failure to diagnose myocarditis promptly may result in cardiovascular complications. (eg, severe heart failure)
  • Failure to obtain appropriate consultations early (eg, neurologist, neurosurgeon, cardiologist, cardiothoracic surgeon) could lead to delays in definitive management.

Special Concerns:

  • In addition to fecal-oral and respiratory transmission, be aware that spread of coxsackieviruses via fomites is possible; therefore, appropriate actions should be taken. Careful handwashing and disposal of contaminated objects should decrease the spread of enteroviruses.
  BIBLIOGRAPHY Section 10 of 10   Click here to go to the previous section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page
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