Seroepidemiological study of enterovirus 71 in Henan Province.

Objective To study the status of antibodies with respect to recently circulating enterovirus 71(EV71) strains in healthy children 0-12 years old,individuals who have recovered from hand,foot,and mouth disease,and children with hand,foot,and mouth disease in order to provide scientific evidence for prevention and control of EV71 causing hand,foot,and mouth disease.Methods A microneutralization test was used to study 226 serum samples collected from sera of different populations in Henan Province,including healthy children,individuals who have recovered from hand,foot,and mouth disease,and children with hand,foot,and mouth disease.Results Anti-EV71 antibody was detected at respective rates of 51.46%,92.96%,and 55.77% in healthy children,individuals who have recovered from hand,foot,and mouth disease,and children with hand,foot,and mouth disease.The rates at which antibodies were detected differed significantly for all the groups.The geometric mean of the antibody titer(GMT) in healthy children,individuals who have recovered from hand,foot,and mouth disease,and children with hand,foot,and mouth disease was 11.13(8.83-13.99),66.51(52.09-84.97),and 21.93(14.32-33.57),respectively.The GMT differed significantly among the three groups but was significantly higher for individuals who have recovered from hand,foot,and mouth disease than for healthy children and children with hand,foot,and mouth disease.Conclusion The positive rate of anti-EV71 antibody detection increased significantly for healthy children in areas where hand,foot,and mouth disease is prevalent.Individuals who have recovered from hand,foot,and mouth disease have robust antibody titers,which may protect them from reinfection with EV71.