肠道病毒属于小核糖核酸病毒(Picorna viruses)科,鼻病毒及动物的小型RNA病毒亦隶属于此群。(表1)这一群病毒很小,直径15～56毫微米,呈立体对称二十面体。肠道病毒和鼻病毒在1克分子MgCl_2存在下都能耐热;但不同的是前者耐酸,此点可作为鉴别特性。二者对乙醚均不敏感。人类肠道病毒为胃肠道的暂时寄居者;其存活取决于能否成功地植入所在部位的易感细胞。病毒分布于全世界,在温带地区,流行发生于温暖季节,一般呈局部性或散发性流行。同一年中各地流行的血清型不同。在家庭中,特别是幼儿较多的家庭,传播迅速。肠道病毒也引起散发病例,这些病例无疑仅是病毒在人 Enteroviruses belong to the family Picorna viruses, and rhinoviruses and small RNA viruses of animals belong to this group. (Table 1) This group of viruses is very small, 15 to 56 nanometers in diameter, showing a stereosymmetric icosahedron. Enteroviruses and rhinoviruses are resistant to heat in the presence of 1 gram of MgCl2; however, the difference is that the former is acid tolerant and this can be used as a distinguishing feature. Both are not sensitive to ether. Human enteroviruses are temporary residents of the gastrointestinal tract; their survival depends on the ability to successfully implant susceptible cells in their area. Viruses are found throughout the world. In temperate regions, the epidemic occurs in the warm season and is generally localized or sporadic. The prevalence of serotypes is different throughout the same year. Families, especially those with younger children, spread rapidly. Enteroviruses also cause sporadic cases, which are undoubtedly the only viruses in humans