Coxsackievirus A10 is an enterovirus belonging to species Enterovirus A that causes hand, foot and mouth disease and occasionally respiratory or neurological illness. The virion is a small non enveloped icosahedron containing a single stranded positive‑sense RNA genome. It replicates in the epithelium of the oropharynx and intestine and spreads primarily through fecal–oral contact, respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces. Infections are most common in young children but occur in adults as well.
Structure, entry and replication
Coxsackievirus A10 (CV‑A10) belongs to the Picornaviridae family. The 30 nm virion contains capsid proteins VP1 through VP4 that surround an RNA genome encoding a single polyprotein. After entry into host cells via the KREMEN1 receptor, the polyprotein is cleaved into structural and non‑structural proteins that assemble new virions in the cytoplasm. CV‑A10 is stable over a range of pH values and can survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract. Following replication in the throat and intestinal mucosa, transient viremia disseminates the virus to the skin and other tissues. CV‑A10 circulates globally and has been increasingly identified in association with hand, foot and mouth disease outbreaks since the early 2010s, particularly in Asia and Europe. There is no licensed vaccine or specific antiviral therapy, so management is supportive. Good hygiene and isolation of infected patients are important to limit spread.
Outbreaks and clinical relevance
Coxsackievirus A10 infection usually presents with fever, sore throat and vesicular lesions on the hands, feet and oral mucosa characteristic of hand, foot and mouth disease. Compared with classic CV‑A16 infection, CV‑A10 may cause more severe or extensive rash and has occasionally been linked to aseptic meningitis, encephalitis and acute flaccid paralysis. Co‑circulation of CV‑A10 with CV‑A6 and CV‑A16 has been documented in large outbreaks in China, Finland and Uruguay. During a 2016 European outbreak, clinicians reported painful oral and perioral blisters in both children and adults. The virus spreads via respiratory secretions, saliva, blister fluid, feces and contaminated objects, with an incubation period of about three to five days. Most cases resolve without complications, but prompt medical evaluation is warranted if neurologic symptoms such as headache or limb weakness occur. Coxsackievirus A10 has emerged as a notable cause of hand, foot and mouth disease worldwide and can occasionally lead to neurological complications. Awareness of its transmission routes and clinical spectrum is essential for infection control and patient care. Related Terms: Coxsackievirus A6, Coxsackievirus A16, Enterovirus A71, Hand‑foot‑and‑mouth disease, Coxsackievirus B3