Glucocorticoid and pyrazolone treatment of acute fever is a risk factor for critical and life-threatening human enterovirus 71 infection during an outbreak in China, 2008

Dexamethasone in adults with viral meningitis: an observational cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether there is a dose-dependent association between empiric dexamethasone and outcome in viral meningitis.

METHODS

Observational cohort study of adults hospitalized for viral meningitis, both with and without a microbiologically confirmed diagnosis, in Denmark between 2015 and 2020. Dose-dependent associations between dexamethasone (one dose = 10 mg) and an unfavourable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score 1-4) at 30 days after discharge were assessed using weighted logistic regression. Entropy balancing was used to compute weights.

RESULTS

Of 1025 included patients, 658 (64%) did not receive dexamethasone, 115 (11%) received 1-2 doses, 131 (13%) received 3-4 doses, and 121 (12%) received ≥5 doses. Among patients treated with dexamethasone, the median number of doses was higher for those without an identified pathogen than for those with a microbiologically confirmed viral aetiology (5 [interquartile range (IQR) 3-8] vs. 3 [IQR 2-5]; p < 0.001). Using no doses of dexamethasone as a reference, the weighted OR for an unfavourable outcome were 0.55 (95% CI, 0.29-1.07) for 1-2 doses, 1.13 (95% CI, 0.67-1.89) for 3-4 doses, and 1.43 (95% CI, 0.77-2.64) for ≥5 doses. In the subgroup of enteroviral meningitis, the weighted OR was 3.08 (95% CI, 1.36-6.94) for ≥5 doses, but decreased to 2.35 (95% CI, 0.65-8.40) when the reference group was restricted to patients treated with antibiotics for suspected bacterial meningitis.

DISCUSSION

This study showed no dose-dependent association between dexamethasone and an unfavourable outcome in patients with viral meningitis. In enteroviral meningitis, ≥5 doses were associated with an increased risk of an unfavourable outcome. However, sensitivity analysis indicated that the association was affected by unmeasured or residual confounding by severity.

Risk Factors for Severe Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: This study aimed to identify potential risk factors for severe hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD). Methods: The PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Sinomed, WanFang, CNKI, and VIP databases were searched (up to August 2021). Results: Twenty-nine studies (9,241 and 927,355 patients with severe HFMD and controls, respectively; all from China) were included. EV71 was associated with higher odds of severe HFMD compared with other agents (OR = 4.44, 95%CI: 3.12-6.33, p < 0.001). Being home-raised (OR = 1.99, 95%CI: 1.59-2.50, p < 0.001), higher number of children in the family (OR = 2.09, 95%CI: 1.93-2.27, p < 0.001), poor hand hygiene (OR = 2.74, 95%CI: 1.78-4.23, p < 0.001), and no breastfeeding (OR = 2.01, 95%CI: 1.45-2.79, p < 0.001) were risk factors for severe HFMD. First consulting to a district-level or above hospital (OR = 0.34, 95%CI: 0.25-0.45, p < 0.001) and diagnosis of HFMD at baseline (OR = 0.17, 95%CI: 0.13-0.24, p < 0.001) were protective factors against severe HFMD. Fever, long fever duration, vomiting, lethargy, leukocytosis, tic, and convulsions were each associated with severe HFMD (all p < 0.05), while rash was not. Conclusions: EV71, lifestyle habits, frequent hospital visits, and symptoms are risk factors for severe HFMD in children in China, while early diagnosis and admission to higher-level hospitals are protective factors.

Acute transverse myelitis following an opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome: An unusual presentation

Opso-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is a very rare and severe condition. Ataxia, opsoclonus, myoclonus and/or behavioral and sleeping disturbances define that autoimmune disorder syndrome which is paraneoplastic or triggered by an infection. Here, we report a 3 year-old immunocompetent boy who developed an atypical OMS which was later complicated by an acute transverse myelitis. Screening for neuroblastoma was negative and extensive infectious screening revealed an active HHV-6 infection confirmed by blood and cerebrospinal fluid PCR. A parainfectious disease was suggested and immunosuppressive treatment was initiated. After 2 years of follow-up, the patient has a left leg paresia needing a splint and is otherwise normal. Transverse myelitis can be associated with parainfectious OMS and earlier immunosuppressive treatment in these cases may be useful especially in young and immunocompetent children.

Rapid Resolution of Enterovirus 71-Associated Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome on Intravenous Immunoglobulin

Nonparaneoplastic opsoclonus–myoclonus ataxia syndrome is a rare neuroinflammatory condition featured by opsoclonus, myoclonus, ataxia, and cognitive behavioral disturbance. The authors report an observation of enterovirus 71-associated opsoclonus–myoclonus ataxia syndrome evolving toward full recovery on intravenous intravenous immunoglobulin (IG) treatment. Based on this case report, enterovirus 71 should be added to the list of infectious agents likely involved in opsoclonus–myoclonus ataxia syndrome, including the emerging subgroup of opsoclonus–myoclonus ataxia syndrome recovering without aggressive or prolonged immunosuppressive intervention. Further studies are mandatory to define the precise role, incidence, treatment, and outcome of enterovirus 71 and other infectious agents in benign forms of opsoclonus–myoclonus ataxia syndrome.

A Case-control Study on Risk Factors for Severe Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

The objective of this study was to identify potential risk factors for severe hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). In this case-control study, 459 severe HFMD patients and 246 mild HFMD patients from Guangdong province and Henan province, China were included. Data comprising demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory findings and other factors were collected. Univariate analysis revealed 30 factors associated with severe cases. Further multivariate analysis indicated four independent risk factors: fatigue (p < 0.01, odd ratio [OR] = 204.7), the use of glucocorticoids (p = 0.03, OR = 10.44), the use of dehydrant drugs (p < 0.01, OR = 73.7) and maculopapular rash (p < 0.01, OR = 84.4); and one independent protective factor: herpes or ulcers in mouth (p = 0.01, OR = 0.02). However, more systematic research and validation are needed to understand the underlying risk factors for severe HFMD.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Hunan Province, China, 2009-2014: Epidemiology and Death Risk Factors

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is an arising public health problem in Asia, including China. Epidemiological data is necessary to enable judicious public health responses and interventions. We analyzed the epidemiological and laboratory data of 759,301 HFMD cases reported to the Hunan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2014. Univariate and multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors of fatality in HFMD. The incidence of HFMD was highest among children aged 1-3 years, compared with other age groups. Of the total HFMD cases, 7,222 (0.95%) were considered severe and 338 (0.04%) were fatal. Enterovirus-A71 was the major cause of severe and fatal cases (65.75% and 88.78%, respectively). For severe cases, the median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 0.5 days (interquartile range [IQR] 0-1.5 days); the median time from diagnosis to severe illness was 2 days (IQR 1-3 days). For fatal cases, the median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 0.5 days (IQR 0-1.5 days); the median time from diagnosis to death was 1.5 days (IQR 0.5-2.5 days). In multivariable analysis, the abuse of antibiotic, glucocorticoid and pyrazolone in village clinics at basic medical institutions were identified as independent risk factors for HFMD fatal cases. In conclusion, our results suggest that the future direction to control and respond to HFMD is intensive surveillance of enterovirus-A71 and improving the ability to diagnose disease and treat patients, especially in basic medical institutions.

Immunity and clinical efficacy of an inactivated enterovirus 71 vaccine in healthy Chinese children: a report of further observations

BACKGROUND

To investigate the long-term effects on immunity of an inactivated enterovirus 71 (EV71) vaccine and its protective efficacy.

METHODS

A sub-cohort of 1,100 volunteers from Guangxi Province in China was eligible for enrolment and randomly administered either the EV71 vaccine or a placebo on days 0 and 28 in a phase III clinical trial and then observed for the following 2 years with approval by an independent ethics committee of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Serum samples from the 350 participants who provided a full series of blood samples (at all the sampling points) within the 2-year period were collected. Vaccine-induced immune effects, including the neutralizing antibody titres and cross-protection against different genotypes of EV71, were examined. This study also evaluated the protective efficacy of this vaccine based upon clinical diagnosis.

RESULTS

This sub-cohort showed a >60% drop-out rate over 2 years. The seroconversion rates among the 161 immunized subjects remained >95% at the end of study. The geometric mean titres of neutralizing antibodies (anti-genotype C4) 360 days after vaccination in 350 subjects were 81.0 (subjects aged 6-11 months), 98.4 (12-23 months), 95.0 (24-35 months), and 81.8 (36-71 months). These titres subsequently increased to 423.1, 659.0, 545.0, and 321.9, respectively, at 540 days post-immunization (d.p.i.), and similar levels were maintained at 720 d.p.i. Higher IFN-γ/IL-4-specific responses to the C4 genotype of EV71 and cross-neutralization reactivity against major EV71 genotype strains were observed in the vaccine group compared to those in the placebo group. Five EV71-infected subjects were observed in the placebo-treated control group and none in the vaccine-immunized group in per-protocol analysis.

CONCLUSION

These results are consistent with the induction of dynamic immune responses and protective efficacy of the vaccine against most circulating EV71 strains.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01569581, Trial registration date: March 2012.

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease: a new look at a classic viral rash

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is a common cause of viral rash in children with classic skin findings which are easily recognized by pediatricians. Recently, several atypical cutaneous manifestations of HFMD have been described. Awareness of these patterns may lead providers to appropriate diagnosis and management. This review also highlights the epidemiological patterns of more virulent strains and emerging research in disease prevention.

RECENT FINDINGS

Classic HFMD presents with tender lesions on the hands, feet, and oral mucosa. Atypical skin findings in HFMD may be seen in children with atopic dermatitis. These include 'eczema coxsackium', in which eczematous skin is superinfected with coxsackie virus, resembling herpes infection. Nail changes, such as shedding, may follow HFMD after a latency period. Enterovirus 71 is responsible for epidemic outbreaks of HFMD in Asia, with systemic manifestations and occasionally neurological sequelae. Research is underway to develop a vaccine which could curb epidemics, but for the present, supportive care and hygiene measures are the standard of care.

SUMMARY

Atypical manifestations of HFMD in children with atopic dermatitis may mimic herpetic superinfection. In a child presenting with nail changes, consider antecedent HFMD in the differential diagnosis. The mainstay of treatment for HMFD remains supportive care.

Clinical Analysis of 134 Children with Nervous System Damage Caused by Enterovirus 71 Infection

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of nervous system damage caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection in pediatric patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical data and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed for 134 cases of laboratory confirmed pediatric EV71 infection admitted to the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January to December 2013.

RESULTS

EV71 infection was significantly more common in patients 1-4 years of age, in males and during the months of April-July. Fifty-six cases complicated by hand, foot and mouth disease were diagnosed. Fever was the most common symptom (128 of 134 patients) and lasted on average 5.3 ± 2.1 days. The most common neurologic complication was aseptic meningitis (n = 74), followed by brain stem encephalitis (n = 24), acute flaccid paralysis (AFP; n = 20), acute parencephalitis (n = 12) and encephalomyelitis (n = 4). Each was characterized by a unique profile of clinical symptoms. Damage to the pons and medulla oblongata was apparent in 28 brain magnetic resonance images. Lesions associated with AFP were concentrated in the cervical spinal cord and thoracic 8. The anterior root of the spinal anterior horn was a specific lesion. Fourteen of the AFP patients had unilateral or bilateral femoral nerve involvement. None of the patients died, and in 132 of 134 patients, follow-up visits showed that their physical and neuropsychologic abilities had returned to normal.

CONCLUSIONS

Most children infected with EV71 have a good prognosis if they are diagnosed early and receive proper supportive treatment.

Risk Factors for Severe Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease in Children in Hainan, China, 2011-2012

The incidence of severe/fatal cases of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) has increased in South Asia. In China, Hainan Province had the highest incidence of mortality associated with HFMD in 2011. This study investigated the risk factors for severe HFMD in Hainan. The HFMD survey database for Hainan Province for 2011 and 2012 was analyzed, and the biological and behavioral characteristics of severe (n = 980) and nonsevere (n = 1679) HFMD were compared. The association between each explanatory variable and the severity of HFMD was investigated using a logistic regression model after adjusting for confounders. Human enterovirus 71 infection, a peak body temperature >39°C, living outside urban areas, visiting a village clinic, low birth weight, never breastfed, cared for by grandparents, and caregiver with <6 years of education were associated with severe HFMD. Individual characteristics that are generally shared by children in households of low socioeconomic status tended to increase the risk of severe HFMD.

Risk factors for critical disease and death from hand, foot and mouth disease

BACKGROUND

There has been a high mortality and morbidity rate of critical and fatal patients from hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in China in recent. Causes for development of critical and fatal disease remain unclear.

METHODS

We performed a case-control study to assess the association between use of drugs and development of critical disease and death from HFMD.

RESULTS

We found that glucocorticoids treatment was associated with a greater incidence of severe HFMD, whereas andrographolides treatment was associated with a protective effect when they are used for treatment within 48 hours after onset or before being diagnosed as critical.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend that glucocorticoids should not be used for mild HFMD and andrographolides should undergo clinical trials for treatment of enterovirus 71 infections.

Early dexamethasone treatment exacerbates enterovirus 71 infection in mice

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection can induce encephalitis. Overt immune responses is suspected to cause severe symptoms, so anti-inflammatory agents, corticosteroids have been recommended for treatment. However, one clinical study reported that treatment with glucocorticoids, dexamethasone (Dex) exacerbates disease severity. Here we investigated Dex treatment on EV71 infection using the murine model and found that both long-term (14-day) and short-term (4-day) Dex treatment starting from 1 or 3 days postinfection increased the mortality and disease severity of infected mice. Dex treatment starting from 4 or 8 days postinfection did not affect mouse mortality and disease severity. Early Dex treatment starting from 1 day postinfection caused atrophy and enhanced apoptosis in lymphoid organs to decrease the numbers of lymphocytes (CD4(+) T cells, CD8(+) T cells, and CD19(+) B cells) and to increase viral loads in infected tissues of mice. Our results demonstrate that Dex treatment has no beneficial effect on EV71 infection.

An inactivated enterovirus 71 vaccine in healthy children

BACKGROUND

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a major cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease in children and may be fatal. A vaccine against EV71 is needed.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial involving healthy children 6 to 71 months of age in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Two doses of an inactivated EV71 vaccine or placebo were administered intramuscularly, with a 4-week interval between doses, and children were monitored for up to 11 months. The primary end point was protection against hand, foot, and mouth disease caused by EV71.

RESULTS

A total of 12,000 children were randomly assigned to receive vaccine or placebo. Serum neutralizing antibodies were assessed in 549 children who received the vaccine. The seroconversion rate was 100% 4 weeks after the two vaccinations, with a geometric mean titer of 170.6. Over the course of two epidemic seasons, the vaccine efficacy was 97.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 92.9 to 99.0) according to the intention-to-treat analysis and 97.3% (95% CI, 92.6 to 99.0) according to the per-protocol analysis. Adverse events, such as fever (which occurred in 41.6% of the participants who received vaccine vs. 35.2% of those who received placebo), were significantly more common in the week after vaccination among children who received the vaccine than among those who received placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

The inactivated EV71 vaccine elicited EV71-specific immune responses and protection against EV71-associated hand, foot, and mouth disease. (Funded by the National Basic Research Program and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01569581.).

Hand, foot, and mouth disease in China, 2008-12: an epidemiological study

BACKGROUND

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common childhood illness caused by enteroviruses. Increasingly, the disease has a substantial burden throughout east and southeast Asia. To better inform vaccine and other interventions, we characterised the epidemiology of hand, foot, and mouth disease in China on the basis of enhanced surveillance.

METHODS

We extracted epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data from cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease reported to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention between Jan 1, 2008, and Dec 31, 2012. We then compiled climatic, geographical, and demographic information. All analyses were stratified by age, disease severity, laboratory confirmation status, and enterovirus serotype.

FINDINGS

The surveillance registry included 7,200,092 probable cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (annual incidence, 1·2 per 1000 person-years from 2010-12), of which 267,942 (3·7%) were laboratory confirmed and 2457 (0·03%) were fatal. Incidence and mortality were highest in children aged 12-23 months (38·2 cases per 1000 person-years and 1·5 deaths per 100,000 person-years in 2012). Median duration from onset to diagnosis was 1·5 days (IQR 0·5-2·5) and median duration from onset to death was 3·5 days (2·5-4·5). The absolute number of patients with cardiopulmonary or neurological complications was 82,486 (case-severity rate 1·1%), and 2457 of 82486 patients with severe disease died (fatality rate 3·0%); 1617 of 1737 laboratory confirmed deaths (93%) were associated with enterovirus 71. Every year in June, hand, foot, and mouth disease peaked in north China, whereas southern China had semiannual outbreaks in May and September-October. Geographical differences in seasonal patterns were weakly associated with climate and demographic factors (variance explained 8-23% and 3-19%, respectively).

INTERPRETATION

This is the largest population-based study up to now of the epidemiology of hand, foot, and mouth disease. Future mitigation policies should take into account the heterogeneities of disease burden identified. Additional epidemiological and serological studies are warranted to elucidate the dynamics and immunity patterns of local hand, foot, and mouth disease and to optimise interventions.

FUNDING

China-US Collaborative Program on Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, WHO, The Li Ka Shing Oxford Global Health Programme and Wellcome Trust, Harvard Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, and Health and Medical Research Fund, Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Injection safety assessments in two Chinese provinces, 2001-2009: progress and remaining challenges

In 2009, an assessment of injection practices in Fumeng County (Liaoning Province) and Wulong County (Chongqing Municipality) (random sample of 29 hospitals, 40 village clinics and 400 villagers) was conducted and the results were compared with a prior 2001 assessment (same area, same WHO assessment tool). In 2009, all facilities in Fumeng and Wulong used new, disposable syringes compared with 34% in both counties in 2001. Moreover, 59% (95% CI 37-80%) and 74% (95% CI 55-94%) of providers in Fumeng and Wulong, respectively, collected used sharps safely compared with 33% (95% CI 20-45%) and 36% (95% CI 20-53%) in 2001. In Fumeng and Wulong, respectively, 5% (95% CI 0-15%) and 50% (95% CI 25-76%) of facilities discarded injection devices in the regular trash compared with 7% (95% CI 2-12%) and 64% (95% CI 47-80%) in 2001. Between 2001 and 2009, the annual average number of injections per person increased from 1.8 to 6.3 (95% CI 4.5-8.1) in Fumeng and was stable [3.4 and 3.1 (95% CI 1.9-4.3)] in Wulong. Overall, between 2001 and 2009, sterilisable injection devices disappeared and disposal practices improved. However, unsafe practices persisted, which should be improved. Use of injections to administer medications may be increasing and must be reduced.

Budesonide suppresses pulmonary antibacterial host defense by down-regulating cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide in allergic inflammation mice and in lung epithelial cells

BACKGROUND

Glucocorticoids are widely regarded as the most effective treatment for asthma. However, the direct impact of glucocorticoids on the innate immune system and antibacterial host defense during asthma remain unclear. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this process is critical to the clinical application of glucocorticoids for asthma therapy. After sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin (OVA), BALB/c mice were treated with inhaled budesonide and infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The number of viable bacteria in enflamed lungs was evaluated, and levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in serum were measured. A lung epithelial cell line was pretreated with budesonide. Levels of cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) were measured by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Intracellular bacteria were observed in lung epithelial cells.

RESULTS

Inhaled budesonide enhanced lung infection in allergic mice exposed to P. aeruginosa and increased the number of viable bacteria in lung tissue. Higher levels of IL-4 and lower levels of IFN-γ were observed in the serum. Budesonide decreased the expression of CRAMP, increased the number of internalized P. aeruginosa in OVA-challenged mice and in lung epithelial cell lines. These data indicate that inhaled budesonide can suppress pulmonary antibacterial host defense by down-regulating CRAMP in allergic inflammation mice and in cells in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Inhaled budesonide suppressed pulmonary antibacterial host defense in an asthmatic mouse model and in lung epithelium cells in vitro. This effect was dependent on the down-regulation of CRAMP.

Human-to-human transmission of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus through contact with infectious blood

We investigated an outbreak of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) that occurred during May and June 2010, to identify the mode of transmission. Contact with the index patient's blood was significantly associated with development of SFTS (P = .01, by the χ(2) test for linear trend); the frequency of contact with the index patient's blood increased the risk of SFTS in a dose-response manner (P = .03, by the χ(2) test for linear trend). We concluded that human-to-human transmission caused this cluster of cases.

Early use of glucocorticoids was a risk factor for critical disease and death from pH1N1 infection

BACKGROUND

Glucocorticoids increase the risk of developing critical disease from viral infections. However, primary care practitioners in China use them as antipyretics, potentially exposing hundreds of millions to this risk.

METHODS

We enrolled all patients with confirmed pandemic influenza A (pH1N1) virus infection aged ≥3 years with available medical records at 4 Shenyang City hospitals from 20 October to 30 November 2009. A critical patient was any confirmed, hospitalized pH1N1 patient who developed ≥1 of the following: death, respiratory failure, septic shock, failure or insufficiency of ≥2 nonpulmonary organs, mechanical ventilation, or ICU admission. In a retrospective cohort study, we evaluated the risk of developing critical illness in relation to early (≤72 hours of influenza-like illness [ILI] onset) glucocorticoids treatment.

RESULTS

Of the 83 hospitalized case-patients, 46% developed critical illness, 17% died, and 37% recovered and were discharged. Critically ill and other patients did not differ by underlying conditions and severity, median temperature at first clinic visit, and other measured risk factors. Of 17 patients who received early glucocorticoid treatment, 71% subsequently developed critical disease compared with 39% of 66 patients who received late (>72 hours) or no glucocorticoid treatment (RR(M-H) = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.2-2.8, after adjusting for 2 summary variables; ie, presence of underlying diseases and presence of underlying risk factors). Proportional hazards modeling showed that use of glucocorticoids tripled the hazard of developing critical disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.3-6.2, after adjusting for the same summary variables).

CONCLUSIONS

Early use of parenteral glucocorticoids therapy for fever reduction and pneumonia prevention increases the risk for critical disease or death from pH1N1 infection. We recommend that guidelines on glucocorticoid use be established and enforced.

An emerging recombinant human enterovirus 71 responsible for the 2008 outbreak of hand foot and mouth disease in Fuyang city of China

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), a common contagious disease that usually affects children, is normally mild but can have life-threatening manifestations. It can be caused by enteroviruses, particularly Coxsackieviruses and human enterovirus 71 (HEV71) with highly variable clinical manifestations. In the spring of 2008, a large, unprecedented HFMD outbreak in Fuyang city of Anhui province in the central part of southeastern China resulted in a high aggregation of fatal cases. In this study, epidemiologic and clinical investigations, laboratory testing, and genetic analyses were performed to identify the causal pathogen of the outbreak. Of the 6,049 cases reported between 1 March and 9 May of 2008, 3023 (50%) were hospitalized, 353 (5.8%) were severe and 22 (0.36%) were fatal. HEV71 was confirmed as the etiological pathogen of the outbreak. Phylogenetic analyses of entire VP1 capsid protein sequence of 45 Fuyang HEV71 isolates showed that they belong to C4a cluster of the C4 subgenotype. In addition, genetic recombinations were found in the 3D region (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, a major component of the viral replication complex of the genome) between the Fuyang HEV71 strain and Coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16), resulting in a recombination virus. In conclusion, an emerging recombinant HEV71 was responsible for the HFMD outbreak in Fuyang City of China, 2008.