Chinese scientists announce promising tool to fight dangerous childhood disease

By Cai Wenjun | March 13, 2014, Thursday |

Online Edition

CHINESE scientists announced in Shanghai today that they have detected a molecular compound useful in the treatment of hand, foot and mouth disease, a common and highly contagious viral infection among infants and children below five years old.

The compound has been testified effective against both coxsackievirus A16 (Cox A16) and enterovirus 71 (EV71), the two major viruses causing the disease, scientists said at the two-day Queenstown Molecular Biology Meetings that started in Shanghai today.

“It is a very promising and important discovery that can protect children’s lives from the disease, shorten the course of disease and reduce the discomfort,” said Rao Zihe, president of the Biophysical Society of China and the chief scientist leading the research.

“Preclinical studies will be launched soon. We are expecting to start clinical trials in a little over one year if the application goes smoothly,” he said.

Since a big outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease in Southeast Asia in 2008, there have been over 1 million Chinese children infected with the disease every year, and over 2,000 children have been killed by the disease, he said.

Metro Health and Science

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Chinese scientists announce promising tool to fight dangerous childhood disease

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