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Review
. 2016 Mar 15:9:165.
doi: 10.1186/s13104-016-1973-y.

A literature review and case report of hand, foot and mouth disease in an immunocompetent adult

Carlos Omaña-Cepeda  1   2 , Andrea Martínez-Valverde  2 , María del Mar Sabater-Recolons  2   3 , Enric Jané-Salas  2   3 , Antonio Marí-Roig  2   4 , José López-López  5   6   7
Affiliations
Review

A literature review and case report of hand, foot and mouth disease in an immunocompetent adult

Carlos Omaña-Cepeda et al. BMC Res Notes. .

Abstract

Background: To report an uncommon case of hand, foot and mouth disease, (HFMD) in an immunocompetent adult; a highly infectious disease, characterized by the appearance of vesicles on the mouth, hands and feet, associated with coxsackieviruses and enteroviruses; including a literature review.

Case report: A 23 year Caucasian male with no medical or surgical history, no allergies, was not taking any medication and smoked ten cigarettes a day, suffering from discomfort in the oral cavity; itching, burning and pain when swallowing associated with small erythematous lesions located on the hard palate, and small ulcers in tonsillar pillars and right buccal mucosa. Mild fever of 37.8 °C and general malaise. The patient reported he had had contact with a child diagnosed with HFMD. From his background and symptoms, the patient was diagnosed with HFMD. Following symptomatic treatment, the symptoms remitted in 7 days.

Methods: A literature review in MEDLINE (PubMed). The inclusion criteria were for studies on humans over the last 5 years, using the keywords HFMD.

Results: We found 925 articles, which were subsequently reduced to 52 documents after applying the inclusion criteria. Maculopapular lesions were found on hands and feet.

Conclusions: Dentists may have a key role diagnosing the disease. A surveillance system to predict future outbreaks, encourage early diagnosis, put appropriate public health measures in place and research vaccine development is vitally important in order to control the disease.

Keywords: Adult; Case report; Dentistry; HFMD; Immunocompetent; Oral health.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Lesions on the hard palate, soft and tonsillar pillars
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Lesions on the palm and fingers
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Lesions on the foot
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Diagram of article selection
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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