To analyze the expression and diagnostic value of microRNA (miRNA) in children with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) of enterovirus 71 (EV71) type.

Thirty children with EV71 type HFMD admitted to our hospital from April to September, 2018 were enrolled in the study. According to the ratio of 1:1, 30 healthy children who received regular health examination at the same time and without infection were selected as a control group. TaqMan low-density array (TLDA) was used to screen miRNA, and 10 miRNAs with the most significant differences were selected for comparative analysis. The expressions of miRNA were compared between the two groups; and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the diagnostic value of miRNA for EV71 type HFMD.

MiR-148a, miR-628-3p, miR-143, miR-324-3P, miR-206, miR-545, miR-140-5p, miR-597, miR-455-5p, and miR-362-3p were selected by TLDA analysis. There were no statistical differences in miR-206, miR-545 and miR-597 between the two groups (all P>0.05). The miR-148a, miR-628-3p, miR-143, miR-324-3P, miR-140-5p, miR-455-5p and miR-362-3p in the children with EV71 type HFMD were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of miRNA for the diagnosis of EV71 type HFMD was between 0.627 and 0.993, and the AUC of miR-143 was the largest (0.993). With 8.62 as the threshold, the sensitivity and specificity were 100.00% and 96.70%.

MiRNA is abnormally expressed in children with EV71 type HFMD, especially miR-148a, miR-628-3p, miR-143, miR-324-3P, miR-140-5p, miR-455-5p and miR-362-3p. They can be used as important indicators for diagnosing children with EV71 type HFMD.

MicroRNA; Hand, foot and mouth disease of enterovirus 71 type; Diagnostic value