Coxsackievirus

The coxsackievirus is a cytolytic enterovirus of the picornaviridae family. There are 61 non-polio enteroviruses that can cause disease in humans, of which 23 are Coxsackie A viruses and 6 are Coxsackie B viruses). Enteroviruses are the second most common viral infectious agents in humans (after the rhinoviruses).

The most well-known Coxsackie A disease is hand-foot-and-mouth disease (which is unrelated to foot-and-mouth disease), a common childhood illness, often produced by Coxsackie A16. In most cases infection is asymptomatic or causes only mild symptoms. In others, infection produces short-lived (7-10 days) fever and painful blisters in the mouth, on the palms and fingers of the hand, or on the soles of the feet.

Other diseases include acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis (A24 specifically), herpangina, and aseptic meningitis (both Coxsackie A and B viruses).

Coxsackie B viruses also cause infectious myocarditis, infectious pericarditis, and pleurodynia.

The coxsackie viruses are named for Coxsackie, New York.