Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) (CVA16)

Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) is a non-enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Enterovirus genus of the Picornaviridae family (Source: PubMed, PMID: 25100851). The virion is characterized by an icosahedral capsid composed of 60 units of four structural proteins (VP1, VP2, VP3, and VP4), which protect the viral genome and facilitate host cell entry (Source: Journal of Virology, doi: 10.1128/JVI.01911-14). CVA16 is a primary causative agent of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), a common infectious disease in children that typically presents with fever and vesicular exanthema (Source: WHO, Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Fact Sheet). While usually self-limiting, CVA16 infection can occasionally lead to severe neurological and systemic complications, including aseptic meningitis and myocarditis (Source: Lancet Infectious Diseases, doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(14)70733-4). The virus initiates infection by binding to specific host receptors, most notably scavenger receptor class B member 2 (SCARB2) and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) (Source: Nature Medicine, doi: 10.1038/nm.2003). Therapeutic interventions targeting the CVA16 virion include capsid-binding inhibitors like pleconaril, which prevent the virus from uncoating and releasing its genetic material into the host cell (Source: PubChem, CID: 104301). Additionally, inactivated vaccines have been developed to elicit neutralizing antibodies that target the virion surface to prevent infection (Source: Vaccine, doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.03.057). Research also focuses on inhibiting viral enzymes such as the 3C protease to halt the viral life cycle (Source: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, doi: 10.1021/jm401615e). Monitoring of CVA16 is critical due to its potential for large-scale outbreaks and the lack of universally approved antiviral treatments.

Other names

CVA16Coxsackie A16 virusHuman coxsackievirus A16Coxsackievirus A16 virion

Capsid binding to prevent viral uncoating; inhibition of viral 3C protease to block polyprotein processing; induction of neutralizing antibodies via vaccination.