Site-directed in vitro mutagenesis of Enterovirus EV71: implications for the development of an attenuated EV71 vaccine

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a human pathogen associated both with sporadic cases and large outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease throughout the world. The clinical manifestations in EV71 patients vary from mild and self-limited conditions to severe neurological complications, such as meningitis, brain-stem encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, poliomyelitis-like paralysis or pulmonary oedema with a fatal outcome. Currently, there is no specific therapy of vaccine available for EV71 infection. The aim of this study was to explore EV71 molecular determinants which can lead to the virus inhibition in vitro and, therefore, can be useful in the development of an attenuated vaccine.