Genetic characterization of enterovirus A71 isolates from severe neurological cases in Poland

The aim of this study was to report a minor outbreak of enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) infection in Poland and characterize isolates from cases of severe neurological infection detected in 2013 and 2016. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Polish strains belonged to the C genogroup: C1, C2, and C4. Severe neurological manifestations as encephalitis or acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), were associated with all detected subgenogroups. The C2 subgenogroup was associated with the outbreak in Gdansk, with serious cases of AFP, myelitis, cerebellitis, encephalitis, but also with mild, sporadic cases of aseptic meningitis, in other Polish cities. Data from the study established relationships of EV-A71 from Poland with previously characterized strains and confirmed the importance of high quality enterovirus surveillance with international reach.