Background Coxsackievirus A16(CVA16)is one of the major etiological agents of hand,foot and mouth discase(HFMD).This study aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology and evolutionary characteristics of CVA16.Methods Throat swabs were collected from children with HFMD and suspected HFMD during 2010-2019.Enteroviruses(EVs)were detected and typed by real-ime reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and RT-PCR.The genotype,evolutionary rate,the most recent common ancestor,population dynamics and selection pressure of CVA16 were analyzed based on viral protein gene(VPI)by bioinformatics software.Results A total of 4709 throat swabs were screened.EVs were detected in 3180 samples and 814 were CVA16 positive.More than 81%of CVA 16-positive children were under 5 years old.The prevalence of CVA 16 showed obvious periodic fluctuations with a high level during 2010--2012 followed by an apparent decline during 2013--2017.However,the activities of CVA16 increased gradually during 2018-2019.All the Beijing CVA16 strains belonged to sub-genotype BI,and B Ib was the dominant strain.One B Ic strain was detected in Bejing for the first time in 2016.The estimated mean evolutionary rate of VPI gene was 4.49x 103 substitution/site/year.Methionine gradually fixed at site-23 of VP1 since 2012.Two sites were detected under episodic positive selection,one of which(site-223)located in neutralizing linear epitope PEP71.Conclusions The dominant strains of CVA 16 belonged to clade B lb and evolved in a fast evolutionary rate during 2010-2019 in Beiing.To provide more favorable data for HFMD prevention and control,it is necessary to keep attention on molecular epidemiological and evolutionary characteristics of CVA16.
