Enterovi rus D68: Epidemiology, Molecular Evolution, Prevention,
Diagnosis, and Treatment of a Virus that Causes Pediatric Infectious
Disease
Abstract
Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a respiratory virus that
primarily affects children and has been associated with sporadic
outbreaks of respiratory illness worldwide. This study aimed to carry
out a literature review considering several aspects involving EV-D68
infection: epidemiology, molecular evolution, prevention, diagnosis, and
treatment of this infection. Data from 976 whole genome sequences (WGS)
of EV-D68 collected between September 1977 to September 2022 showed
substitution rates of 4.06E10‐3 nucleotides per site per year (s/s/y).
Phylogenetic tree of EV-D68 by clades (A1, A2, B, B1, B2, B3, and C) was
performed. The time to the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of A1 was
2005-04-17 in the USA, A2 was 2003-12-23 in China, B was 2003-07-06 in
China, B1 was 2010-03-21 in Vietnam, B2 was 2006-11-25 in Vietnam, B3
was 2011-01-15 in China, and C was 2000-06-27 in the USA. The molecular
origin of the EV-D68 was in Canada in 1995, later it was disseminated in
France in 1997, the USA in 1999, Asia in 2008, the Netherlands in 2009,
New Zealand in 2010, Mexico in 2014, Kenya in 2015, Sweden in 2016,
Switzerland in 2018, Spain in 2018, Belgium in 2018, Australia in 2018,
and Denmark in 2019. Recently, in 2022 this virus circulated in the USA.
The immune response to EV-D68 involves both innate and adaptive
immunity, with the production of neutralizing antibodies and activation
of T cells playing crucial roles. Prevention strategies for EV-D68
include practicing good hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and
avoiding close contact with infected individuals. In conclusion, EV-D68
was originated in Canada in 1995 and spread to Europe, Asia, Oceania,
Latin America, and Africa.
