Ateneo de Naga University

NUMBER OF PEOPLE AFFECTED:

Microbiology & Parasitology
Enteroviruses of various types cause
about 10 to15 million infections each
year in the US, usually in the late
summer or early fall.

As of August 2016, the CDC reported

50 confirmed cases of
Enterovirus 68 across 24 states
with similar cases of acute flaccid
paralysis diagnoses being reported.

MEDICAL RESEARCH
ENTEROVIRUSES IN THE EARLY 21ST CENTURY: NEW
ENTEROVIRUSESES
MANIFESTATIONS AND CHALLENGES
Recent findings: Enteroviruses are now classified into 4
distinct species. New variants of Coxsackievirus B1,
Enterovirus-A71, and Enterovirus-D68 (EV-D68) have
emerged as causes of recent outbreaks in the United States
and other countries, including more severe disease
manifestations than previously described. EV-D68 now
commonly circulates in the United States, and has been
linked to severe respiratory disease and associated with
acute flaccid myelitis. Overcoming enormous political and REFERENCES
logistical challenges, fewer than 100 cases of polio have
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8024744
been reported in 2015, and the initiation of “endgame”
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-
strategies appears imminent. Unfortunately treatment for issues/conditions/infections/Pages/Reports-of-a-Severe-
enterovirus infections remains supportive, although the Respiratory-Illness-on-the-Rise.aspx
recently completed pleconaril trial in newborns suggests https://www.google.com/search?safe=active&bi
that antiviral therapy may reduce mortality in neonatal https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/enteroviruses/facts ELISHAH ROSE B. CAPRICHO
disease. BSN-1 RR11

ENTEROVIRUSES ??
Enteroviruses, a group of single-stranded
sense RNA viruses, are commonly
encountered infections, especially in infants
and children. They are responsible for a
myriad of clinical syndromes, including hand-
foot-and-mouth (HFM) disease,
herpangina, myocarditis, aseptic
meningitis, and pleurodynia.
The two most common ones are echovirus
and coxsackievirus, but there are several
others.
BRIEF HISTORY
Albert Sabin was one of the main contributors. He
Rash, Fever, Muscle aches, Common cold, flu-like.
isolated several enterovirus types and established
them as causative agents of human disease. The
enteroviruses were discovered only after new
methods were introduced for working with viruses.
They are now recognized as constituting one of the
genera of the picornavirus family. Pico-rna-virus
stands for viruses which are small (pico), and have an
RNA genome. The enterovirus genus includes the
polioviruses, the coxsackieviruses and the
echoviruses of humans, plus a number of
enteroviruses of lower animals (e.g., monkeys, cattle,
pigs, mice). Over 100 serotypes are now recognized,
the first having been the polioviruses.
LIFE CYCLE
TREATMENT
Most patients with enterovirus infection recover
uneventfully. Treatment is usually supportive,
aimed at relieving symptoms and making sure
people keep hydrated. People with more
serious infections will need more intensive
support. Antibiotics are only given if a
secondary bacterial infection is suspected
SOURCE OF TRANSMISSION & EXPOSURE
alongside the enterovirus.
Saliva, Blister fluid, stool, nasal mucus, and
anything contaminated with the virus
PREVENTION
Avoid touching, eyes, nose, and
The causes for enterovirus infections are simple mouth with unwashed hands.
the passage of one of the
manyenteroviruses from one person directly to
another, usually by contact with respiratory
Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing
secretions and/or stool from infected individuals. cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.
Occasionally, enteroviruses may contaminate
environmental sources such as water.
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as
SYMPTOMS toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is
Often NO symptoms. sick.
Enteroviruses are transmitted predominantly via
P
the fecal-oral route. However, there are some
A
exceptions, including coxsackievirus A21, which is
T spread mainly by respiratory secretions, and
H HOW IS A PERSON’S LIFE AFFECTED BY
enterovirus 70, which is shed in tears and spread THE DISEASE?
O via fingers and fomites. Upon entry into the Most illnesses caused by enteroviruses are mild but
L oropharynx, the virus replicates in submucosal more severe diseases can sometimes develop in
tissues of the distal pharynx and alimentary certain patients, including brain and heart conditions,
O
tract. Viral particles are shed in the feces and in pneumonia and hepatitis. Also, the viruses can spread
G upper respiratory tract secretions for days prior
to other organs such as the spleen, liver, bone
Y to symptom onset marrow, skin and heart.