The roles of GUT microbiota in hand, foot and mouth disease

The recent upsurge of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases poses a significant threat to the paediatric and neonatal populations in the Asia-Pacific region. Coxsackievirus type A and Enterovirus 71 are the primary causative pathogens for HFMD, an infectious disease characterised by clinical manifestations of fever, oral ulcers and erythema on hands, feet and mouth, rare severe neurological complications and cardiopulmonary dysfunction. Recently, several studies highlighted the significant role of intestinal microorganisms in the replication and pathogenesis of enteric viruses. Despite that, the intricate interactions between intestinal bacteria and enteric viruses remain to be explored. Therefore, this study explores the role of the gut microbiome in HFMD and potential gut microbiota modulation therapy for HFMD.