Molecular characterization of a new human echovirus 11 isolate associated with severe hand, foot and mouth disease in Yunnan, China, in 2010.

Human echovirus 11 (E-11), a member of the species Enterovirus B, frequently causes aseptic meningitis and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). We determined the complete genome sequence of strain 520K/YN/CHN/2010, isolated from a subject with HFMD and aseptic meningitis in Yunnan Province, China, in 2010. The strain shared 78.8% and 81.1% nucleotide sequence similarity with prototype strain Gregory in the complete VP1 gene and the complete genome, respectively. Only the VP2-VP3-VP1 genome region of 520K/YN/CHN/2010 was similar to that of the E-11 strain; the other genome regions were most similar to those of other members of the species Enterovirus B. Using phylogenetic analysis and sequence comparisons of the complete VP1 gene, E-11 strains could be divided into five genogroups, and the 520K/YN/CHN/2010 strain was found to belong to genogroup A. Recombination analysis showed evidence of recombination with other member of the species Enterovirus B, especially the E-9 strain MSH/KM812/2010. Persistent surveillance of HFMD pathogens might help predict potential emerging viruses and related disease outbreaks.