Investigations

Investigations to consider

viral culture

Test
Result
Test

Only used if exposure to enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a possibility (e.g., exposure in East or South-east Asia).

Culture from stool or vesicle fluid is preferred, although a throat swab may also be used.

Result

isolation of EV71 virus

FBC

Test
Result
Test

Only used if exposure to enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a possibility (e.g., exposure in East or South-east Asia).

Result

elevated WBC count, atypical lymphocytes

Emerging tests

PCR molecular assays

Test
Result
Test

Can be used to identify EV71 infections.[18]

Result

identification of causative virus (i.e., coxsackieviruses or EV71)

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