Molecular Analysis of Enteroviruses

Enteroviruses (EVs) are common human pathogens which usually infect the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts and can spread to other organs or systems. They are characterized by high genomic plasticity, primarily due to high mutation and recombination rates. Improved molecular diagnostic methods and genetic sequence analyses are beginning to discover the complex characteristics of individual serotypes and genotypes. Understanding the tempo and pattern of molecular diversity and evolution is of great importance in the pathogenesis of EVs, information which will assist in disease prevention and control. In this review, we will focus on molecular analysis of EVs, including current diagnosis, epidemiology and evolution.