Detection and genetic characterization of enterovirus strains circulating among children with acute gastroenteritis in Japan during 2014–2016

Of 972 stool samples collected from infants and children with acute gastroenteritis in six different regions (Hokkaido, Tokyo, Shizuoka, Kyoto, Osaka, and Saga) of Japan during 2-year period from July 2014 to June 2016, 63 samples (6.5%) determined to be positive for enterovirus by multiplex RT-PCR were subjected to genotype determination based on the partial VP1 region using the CODEHOP method. Sixty-two strains were succeeded in genotyping and seventeen EV types were identified. The majority of the studied strains belonged to EV-A (30 of 62; 48.4%) and EV-B (31 of 62, 50%) species, and the remaining strain was of the EV-D species. The most frequently detected type was Coxsackievirus A5 (CV-A5) in 2014–2015 while was CV-B5 in 2015–2016. This study provides an insight into the genetic diversity of EV with the predominance of EV-A and EV-B species in Japanese infants and children with acute gastroenteritis during 2014–2016. •Genotyping of enterovirus from Japanese children with acute gastroenteritis was conducted.•Seventeen different EV types were identified during 2014–2016.•First report on circulating EV types in Japanese children by genetic analysis.•Predominance of CV-A5 and CV-B5 were firstly noted in patients with acute gastroenteritis.