coxsackie virus /koksak″ē-/ [Coxsackie, New York; L, virus, poison] , any of 30 serologically different small RNA enteroviruses associated with a variety of symptoms and primarily affecting children during warm weather. The coxsackieviruses resemble the virus responsible for poliomyelitis, particularly in size. Both are picornaviruses. Coxsackie viruses can be divided into two groups. Group A is the milder form, causing herpangina and hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Group B causes epidemic pleurodynia. Both types can cause myocarditis, pericarditis, aseptic meningitis, and several exanthems. There is no known preventive measure except isolation of infected persons, and the treatment is generally directed to relief of symptoms. See also viral infection.
